{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"13031381","dateCreated":"1246341778","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"nickngyuheng","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/nickngyuheng","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13031381"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? By Nicholas Ng Yu Heng","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\n
\nShakespeare's works have extremely strong influence in our times, and his choice of clothing and speech used in his plays modeled that of reality; if such language could make people in the past visualize the setting very well, then Shakespeare's plays are a must read as it displays outstanding application of vocabulary and grammar.
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\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
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\nNo. Shakespeare is an essential must-read, as his playwrights have great influence in these modern times. Furthermore, he is the backbone of English literature's culture and styles, thus without reading Shakespeare for a literature course would be like not knowing who your parents are.
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\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\n
\nWell, you can try, but I'll bet it would be hard to comprehend. This is because Shakespeare's literary works include a lot of imagery, and it was used to describe the setting as they did not have proper props during that time. In addition, it would be much easier to enjoy and appreciate Shakespeare's works if one considered reading up on his background.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13027805","dateCreated":"1246327843","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"JeffreyGoh","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/JeffreyGoh","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13027805"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare?","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\n
\nShakespeare is one of if not the best writers in the history of English Literature, he was also a major influence to our world as well as English Literature.
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\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
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\nI feel that it is not really a must to include Shakespeare's works as it depends on the audience taking the course as well, for example, we did not do anything about Shakespeare when we were in Secondary 1.
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\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
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\nI feel that it is possible to appreciate Shakespeare's work without prior knowledge about his background as it is his works that made him famous and not which family he came from or whatever background he has. However, knowledge about his background may make it easier to understand his works.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13026857","dateCreated":"1246325795","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"lih958","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lih958","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13026857"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? by Li Han Yi","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\nShakespeare's works were created during the Elizabethan era, when the language of English is considered most "classical". His works were very popular then, and he had many interesting works. It was the best representation of literature.
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\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
\nI would say no. Shakespeare's works are supposedly literature's representatives. The most literature knowledge can be squeezed from Shakespeare's works. Without these works, literature would be almost meaningless.
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\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\nIt is not very possible. Shakespeare's works, specifically the setting,plot, and the language he used link to his background. Appreciating his works require analysis of his work, and to analyse his work we need to know his background.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"13027975","body":"Be careful not to negate the contributions of the thousands of other English writers!","dateCreated":"1246328240","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"huangsj","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/huangsj","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"13026365","dateCreated":"1246324795","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"Panda95","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Panda95","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13026365"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? by Andika","description":"1) Shakespeare is an extremely famous writer even in this day, his works influence the use of English and the way movies are made greatly. He is also the first to master the use of subplots, bringing a whole new generation of stories, so now stories have more than one plot happening at the same time.
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\n2)Although Shakespeare's works are undeniably of high caliber, and that a literature course would of course benefit much if his works is in it, i think that it is not a must for his works to be in a course. It very much depends on the people making the course and the audience too.
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\n3) I do not think it is a must to actually know about Shakespeare's background to appreciate his works. Although by understanding his background will help us understand his works better, it is still possible for us to appreciate his work and genius.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13026269","dateCreated":"1246324628","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"bo_wei","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/bo_wei","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13026269"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare","description":"1) Despite that fact that there are countless great writers in the history of english literature, Shakespeare was THE writer. His plays and sonnets still have a strong influence in mordern times, some 400 years after his death. His works has inspired other plays and movies, as shown in the video. His use of new writing techniques e.g. the subplot has also affected modern literature.
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\n2) No. Shakespeare had a great influence on the english language and another one of his main contributions was his helping to expand the english language. Shakespeare is definitely an integral part of english literature.
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\n3) Yes, definitely. Shakespeare's works are considered to be a masterpiece and it would be highly possible for one to appreciate his literary genius.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13026103","dateCreated":"1246324308","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"matthewleejy","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/matthewleejy","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13026103"},"dateDigested":1532390309,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? by Matthew Lee","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\nShakespeare is a main representative of literature and theatre from the Elizabethan era, and thus if we want to know about literature during that period, Shakespeare is the best choice, in fact he is so famous that when asked for examples of "olden" literature, one would probably say Shakespeare.
\n
\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
\nIn my opinion? No, I would rather read the Lord of the Rings. However, from a non-student's point of view, I think that they should be included in all literary courses, as Leslie has already mentioned, Shakespeare's works have a great influence on our world today, one that could almost be comparable to mythology.
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\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\nI think it is definately possible to appreciate any literary work without knowledge about the author's background\/biography, this case is no different. For example, you may read a book without actually knowing who the author is, but still appreciate the skill in writing, etc displayed in the work. However, if one wants to know the context of the story, what influeced it, knowledge of the author himself is definately important..","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13025759","dateCreated":"1246323588","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"yjcheow","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/yjcheow","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1252053160\/yjcheow-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13025759"},"dateDigested":1532390310,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? by Cheow Yong Jian","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\n
\nWilliam Shakespeare (1564-1616) has reflected many of the cultural differences observed during his era, and he has included a lot of "philosophical" meaning underneath the surface of his works. Also, his choice of characters, setting, plots, et cetera, all reflect the environment in reality and the personality of different kinds of people.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"13025849","body":"2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
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\nI think a literature course is not considered complete without Shakespearean works, because this playwright has made a great amount of influence even in today's literary works, and today's culture. As well, the level of mastery at the language he has achieved, as well as his style of writing, are not to be forgotten.","dateCreated":"1246323776","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"yjcheow","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/yjcheow","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1252053160\/yjcheow-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"13025883","body":"3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\n
\nIt is. Personally, I think many people should start off by reading Shakespeare's plays, before even getting to understand him. By doing so, the reader will get a "clean", "first-hand" influence of his works, and then he can relate it to the life of Shakespeare and what caused him to write these the way they are.","dateCreated":"1246323850","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"yjcheow","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/yjcheow","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1252053160\/yjcheow-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"13030201","body":"but if they read about his background first, do you think it will much easier to appreciate, even enjoy, shakespeare's works?","dateCreated":"1246334767","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"jameschong","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jameschong","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"13025689","dateCreated":"1246323459","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"yongmingwu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/yongmingwu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13025689"},"dateDigested":1532390310,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare?","description":"1. Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers we know. If you go and ask anyone on the road to name a writer, he would most probably say Shakespeare. Shakespeare has influenced much of our everyday life and other writers.
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\n2. No. Firstly, like I have said above, he is the most famous writer and it will not be complete without studying the reason Shakespeare is so well-known.
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\n3. Yes, I think it would still be possible, but you will have limited understanding of some of the plots in his play.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"13025809","body":"Just to add on to question 2, I believe that if Shakespeare's works were not studied, the students will have missed out not only the literary value of his works, but also the power of language itself. Shakespeare's works and his language's influence still change the way we look at things today.","dateCreated":"1246323713","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"yongmingwu","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/yongmingwu","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"13025633","dateCreated":"1246323364","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"andrelim","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/andrelim","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13025633"},"dateDigested":1532390310,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? By Andre Lim","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\nShakespeare has influenced modern culture and media. His plays involved subplots, which encouraged almost all modern movies and television shows to use the subplot system.
\n
\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
\nNo, a literature course cannot be considered complete without Shakespeare work. Shakespeare is regarded as one of the best writers of all times. His works are also studied all over the world.
\n
\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\nIt is not possible to fully understand and appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work without knowledge of background. His works were written for an audience of his time. Readers, without background knowledge of that time period, would not understand certain allusions and jokes.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"13025631","dateCreated":"1246323356","smartDate":"Jun 29, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"keithlowsh","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/keithlowsh","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/tmovonline.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/13025631"},"dateDigested":1532390311,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Why Shakespeare? by Loh Sheng Hng ","description":"1) There are thousands of great writers in the history of English literature. Why Shakespeare (instead of any other writer)?
\n
\nWe must admit that there are many very good writers in the history of English Language. However, each of them is good in their own ways and appeals to different audiences. For example, J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, will appeal to children, teenagers or adults who are interested in books in the fantasy genre. But on a different hand, Shakespeare have some other qualities, that make his plays so prominent.
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\nThe following are reasons why Shakespeare is still relevant:
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\n(a) The themes of his plays are timeless.
\nThey touch on themes that are very relevant, no matter at what stage of time. For example, in Merchant of Venice, the theme of friendship is very prominent, while in Romeo and Juliet, love is the prominent theme. With such timeless themes, people of all ages, be it born in the past, present or future, would be able to relate to it.
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\n(b)The plays' characters are all very real.
\nThe characters in Shakespeare's play are all very real, meaning that we can relate to them too. For example, in his play, Hamlet, he grieves over the death of his father, like what all of us would do if a family member that we love died.
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\n(c)The language used is quotable and meaningful.
\nIn many of Shakespeare's plays, the language used are mostly quotable. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, the famous quote "Parting is such sweet sorrow" has been repeated and repeated again is sad moments when a group parts.
\n
\n
\n2) In your opinion, could any literature course be considered complete if Shakespeare\u2019s works were not included in the syllabus?
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\nI believe that literature itself is something that is limitless. It can include anything and everything. Also, the literature course has to be based on the audience. If the audience is a group of small kids, they would not be able to understand Shakespeare. Instead, using books with more understandable themes.
\n
\nAlso, even without Shakespeare's works, there are other equally interesting books and literary works. For example, to understand Singapore culture better, Emily of Emerald Hill will give an insight in the Singaporean Peranakan Culture and the gender discrimination of the traditional Chinese family. However, in To Kill a Mockingbird, we learnt more about racial discrimination suffered by the Black Americans in the past.
\n
\n
\n3) Is it possible to appreciate Shakespeare\u2019s work and genius without knowledge about his background?
\n
\nI believe that to appreciate Shakespeare 's work better, it would be good to know more about him and his background. By knowing what was the situation when he wrote his plays, we can better relate to the plays or sonnets that he had written. Also, by knowing his background, it would benefit us by knowing more about the Shakespeare, the great writer.
\n
\nHowever, I believe that even without knowing Shakespeare's background, we would be able to understand the cleverness of his plot and the timeless themes that he uses.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":true},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}