Introduction to Shakespeare

This collection of introductory resources will help KS3-5 English students get to grips with William Shakespeare's language and his use of iambic pentameter. You’ll find worksheets and activities to explore Shakespeare’s life, the Globe theatre in London and the historical, Renaissance context of his work, as well as the dramatic features of Shakespearean tragedy and comedy.

There are also some fun resources exploring the bard’s inventive use of insults (and his impact on the development of the English Language) as well as an engaging PowerPoint on Elizabethan humours and medicine. 

Whether you are teaching Othello, Hamlet, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, helping students to understand a little about the life of William Shakespeare can really help to bring his plays to life.  

If you are helping students to understand how Shakespeare wrote, expert Francis Gilbert’s resources on Translating Shakespeare, Shakespeare as a performance and Introducing your students to Shakespeare will be of interest to all English teachers. Similarly, leading Shakespearean actor, writer and director Ben Crystal shares his ideas for teachers on how to recognise Shakespeare’s use of implicit stage directions, offering fascinating insights which will enrich your teaching in Mapping the heart of Shakespeare.

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5
9 reviews
Main Subject
English
Category
Shakespeare for key stage 3
Drama
Reading
Literature
English
Resource type
Worksheet
Differentiated
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
Genre
Heritage
File
48.5 KB
Download
File
5
5 reviews
Main Subject
English
Category
Shakespeare for key stage 3
Drama
Reading
Literature
English
Resource type
Starter/Plenary
Game/quiz
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
File
96.5 KB
Download
File
Main Subject
English
Category
Writing for purpose and audience
Writing skills
Language
English
Resource type
Worksheet
Student activity
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
Genre
Heritage
File
85.5 KB
Download
File
Main Subject
English
Category
Shakespeare for key stage 3
Drama
Reading
Literature
English
Resource type
Teaching ideas
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
Genre
Heritage
File
File
5
15 reviews
Main Subject
English
Category
Drama
Reading
Literature
English
Resource type
Worksheet
Game/quiz
Complete lesson
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
Genre
Heritage
File
File
391 KB
Download
5
2 reviews
Main Subject
English
Category
Themes
Prose
Reading
Literature
English
Resource type
Student activity
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Title
Much Ado About Nothing
Genre
Comedy
File
260 KB
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File
5
10 reviews
Main Subject
English
Category
Language
English
Resource type
Worksheet
Student activity
Author
William Shakespeare
Authors
William Shakespeare
Time period
Pre-1900
Genre
Heritage
File
43.5 KB
Download
File