Why do kids have to read Shakespeare and those classic novels in school? It doesn't apply to real life?

To answer this question I must say this first, in high school, I was more too goof off and have fun. Now later in life I realize that by studying these legends and writers we do need this for life now. First of all Shakespeare's writings are used in today's movies, the new movie "She's the Man" is based on the works of Shakespeare.

So much of our thinking can be used in works of older novels, stories or writings. Now that I am older I realize what I missed out on when reading these novels could actually be used in life now. They are used in thinking patterns, emotional ties, writing skills and more. Everything we think and write does apply to real life. It is our life that teaches us and others to be better and live better. To have compassion for all and maybe become great thinkers. Some people are not interested in history or old writings until later on in life. I have a son that cares nothing about reading old materials. But he does enjoy visiting old historical places and to see it with the eyes is more interesting for him and he seems to understand it more. But I think if you give it a chance you may see the use of the work in life. Good luck!

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You read those kind of books to develop your analitical thinking skills. Being able to take the lessons and themes out of those books and think about them critically as they relate to your own world is a very valueable skill no matter what profession you choose. The more you read the wider array of knowledge you will have. No one wants to hire someone with a narrow education. People who get good jobs have well rounded educations and know how to have an intellegent conversation. I assume you are in highschool, at this point I can understand how you think there is nothing relevant in those books, but later on you will discover things that are relevent. You should talk to your teachers and tell them that you feel like there is nothing for you to gain from the book and ask them to help you find ways to relate it. If they are a decent teacher they will help you and your classmates to relate it to your lives and maybe even help you enjoy it. If they tell you too bad, then they have no buisness teaching and you should tell an administrator that they wont help you. Just remember that no matter how pointless it may seem, it all leads to one end, a good job. Even if you want to go to college for something completly unrelated the school is still going to look at all your grades, and once you get to college, those grades often get looked at by potential employers. What you do now has a huge impact on the rest of your life, dont forget that.

whilst i became in intense college (i've got been out 7 years now) I had to examine: Catcher interior the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Macbeth, Lonesome Dove, A tale of two cities, 1984, Of Mice and adult males, Hamlet, some thing depraved this type Comes, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, an afternoon No Pigs could Die, vegetation For Algernon, the quest For pink October, the image of Dorian gray, the effects of Gamma Rays on the guy interior the Moon Marigolds, Antigone, Black Like Me, The Odyssey, Farenheit 451, brave New worldwide, The Glass Menagerie, After the 1st demise, The mask (Dean Koontz), Sir Gawain and the eco-friendly Knight, The Miracle worker, Pygmalion, some thing for Joey...i think of that's all. I took alot of English training lol

I think you are quite wrong, Those books are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago. Take Romeo and Juliet for instance, the situations that happen in that book are the same things people go through today. The technology may be different, but the people and the emotions are still the same. Now if you are going through a similar situation with your family not liking who you are with, after reading this book you should be able to see things in a different light and not make the same tragic choices. Plus not only that, they are just fun to read.

Because they're classics. Because they are more than just plays. They are a glimpse into history and what life was like at the time. I have found that having a broader understanding of a particular time period through more than just historical events to be extremely beneficial. Knowing more about the cultural and social aspects of history help us gain a better picture of what once was, and we use that to help shape our future.

Also, I'd much rather kids spend their time reading these classics and expanding their horizons as opposed to reading trashy magazines about Paris Hilton, which I feel is *far* more useless than "Romeo & Juliet" or "Hamlet".

Reading classic novels and Shakespeare is trying to teach how to interpret what someone is trying to say in their writings. Learning how to understand what someone has written is something you will use in real life. Not everyone writes just facts. People write in analogies and metaphors and hyperbole to convey ideas. Not being able to read into what they are saying is like the difference between looking at a picture in color and the same in black and white.

Shakespearee is a classic everyone NEEDS to know about Shakespear its like going threw life not knowing what the Holocaust was!

Contrary to what you may believe you will use shakespeare in real life. Do you realize how many literary references are made about shakespeare? He is a classic. Everyone knows his works. Many recently made movies are shakepeare's work...just modernized. how dumb would you feel if you were in a board meeting and the boss just happened to bring up a shakespearian quote...and you were the only dumbass who didnt get it? you may think that the things they expect you to learn is just "busy work" but in all actuality, you will at one point or another use the knowledge you learn in school. Its just your choice to utilize that information.

i like reading those famous and great classics. i admit, it wont help me in the future, but i enjoy it. right now, we r reading 'to kill a mockingbird'. its actually a great book and i dont think i would have picked it out on my own. so its not to help our careers, but to help our minds that we have to do it.