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Printable Shakespeare Activities for the classroom

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Printable Shakespeare Activities for the classroom

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Think teaching Shakespeare is all toil and trouble? Methinks thou dost protest too much! These Shakespeare activities and printables will help you screw your courage to the sticking place and remember that the play's the thing!

Shakespeare Activities

1. Solve a Cold Case

Ripped from the headlines! Set up a crime scene and challenge your class to find the motivation behind Caesar's murder. Who says Shakespeare has to be boring?

Source: Ms. B's Got Class

2. Craft Bumper Stickers

This works for any play. Have your students design bumper stickers! Simple concept but lots of room for creativity.

Source: theclassroomsparrow / instagram

3. Build a Globe Theatre Model

Knowing about the theater where Shakespeare's plays were first performed is essential to understanding the plays themselves. Have your students build this simple paper model as you learn about the Globe Theatre.

Get it: Papertoys.com

4. Design a Mask for the Ball

Have students create a mask for a specific character to wear to the Romeo and Juliet masquerade ball. They must justify their color and style choices for that character-a fun way to do character analysis.

Source: Lily Pinto / Pinterest

5. Transl8 a Scene 2 Txt

The language may be archaic, but the stories are endlessly modern. Have your class re-write a scene or sonnet in text, tweets, or other social media for a fun twist.

Source: fifteen eightyfour

6. Replace Words With Emojis

Take things a step further and remove words from the equation entirely! Have students devise book covers or re-write a scene or sonnet using only emojis to tell the tale. Discuss the difficulty of encapsulating some concepts in brief images and compare them with Shakespeare's word choices.

Source: For Reading Addicts

7. Design a Book Cover

Combine art and graphic design with literature when you have kids originate book covers for a Shakespeare play. They make a fun classroom display too!

Source: Small World at Home

8. Dress the Part

Dramatic readings are much more fun with a few props and costumes! This easy DIY paper ruff is made from coffee filters, and younger kids will love dressing up while they learn.

Source: Red Tricycle

9. Make Shakespearean One-Pagers

Challenge students to represent a play visually-all on one page. Templates are available at the link below to help get you started.

Source: Spark Creativity

10. Generate Word Clouds

Use a computer program like Tagxedo or Wordle to build a word cloud identifying important words from a play or sonnet. (Tagxedo allows you to create word clouds in a variety of shapes.) Discuss these words and their importance.

Source: Mrs. Orman's Classroom

11. Try Running Dictation

Get kids up and moving with "running dictation." Print out a sonnet, prologue, monologue, or other important speech. Cut it up by lines and hang the sections up around a room or other area. Students find the lines, memorize them, report them to a scribe, and then put them in order.

Source: theskinnyonsecondary / Instagram

12. Fashion Upcycled "Laurel" Wreaths

Need some impromptu costumes for Julius Caesar or Coriolanus? These clever "laurel" wreaths are made from plastic spoons!

Source: A Subtle Revelry

13. Write a Scene in Comic Form

Like storyboarding, writing a scene in comic form helps capture the essence of the action. Kids can use the actual text from the scene or add in their own sense of humor. (Mya Gosling has re-written most of Macbeth in this form. For inspiration, check it out at the link below.)

Source: Good Tickle Brain

14. Write Concrete Poems

Turn pivotal quotes from a play into concrete poems, using shapes that represent the concept. Students can do this by hand or using the computer.

Source: Dillon Bruce / Pinterest

15. Stage Scene Snapshots

Performing an entire play takes a lot of time. Instead, have student groups stage scene snapshots capturing key moments from the play. Assemble them into a storyboard that covers the whole play.

Source: The Classroom Sparrow

16. Enjoy a Musical Interlude

Compile a playlist for the play, act by act. Have students explain their song choices and listen to some of them in class.

Source: Cal Shakes R + J Teacher's Guide

17. Write in Style

Get younger kids excited about Shakespeare when they write with their own "quill" pens. Color, cut out, and tape around a pen or crayon for old time fun!

Source: Crayola

Shakespeare Printables

18. William Shakespeare Coloring Page

Meet the Bard! Use this coloring image to introduce Shakespeare to young readers or as an anchor for other creative activities.

Get it: Super Coloring

19. Cheer Up, Hamlet! Paper Doll

Have a little fun when teaching Hamlet. This free printable paper doll collection includes standard costumes but also hilarious extras like Captain Denmark and Doctor Who.

Get it: Les Vieux Jours

20. Shakespeare Mad Libs

Remove key words from scenes or sonnets, fill in some new ones, and let the fun begin! Hit the link below for several pre-made games. You or your students can also make your own.

Get it: Homeschool Solutions

21. Shakespeare Lettering Sets

Download these free letter sets (one for general Shakespeare, one for Macbeth) to create bulletin boards or other classroom displays.

Get it: Instant Display

22. Elizabethan Language Terms

Print a copy for each student to keep handy as they tackle Shakespeare's works.

Get it: readwritethink

23. A Midsummer Night's Dream Coloring Pages

Introducing younger students to A Midsummer Night's Dream? These printable coloring pages and finger puppets are just the ticket.

Get it: Phee Mcfaddell

24. Phrases We Owe to Shakespeare Poster

Shakespeare's language becomes much more relatable when you realize how many of his phrases are still in use today. Hang this poster to introduce your students to some of these phrases.

Get it: Grammar.net

25. Shakespeare Notebooking Pages

Keep students organized with these free printable notebooking pages for a variety of Shakespeare plays.

Get it: Mama Jenn

26. Shakespeare's Life Poster

Hang this tongue-in-cheek timeline of the man himself to give students an overview of his life.

Get it: Imgur

27. Shakespeare Plays Word Search

Print this simple word search to familiarize your class with Shakespeare's plays.

Get it: Word Search Addict

28. Chalkboard Shakespeare Quote Printables

These four printable posters will look great on your classroom walls. For a fun activity, challenge your students to create a poster of their own favorite Shakespeare quote.

Get it: Sweet Maple Lane

29. Vintage Shakespeare Quote Printables

These pretty vintage images with Shakespeare quotes will add a touch of class to your classroom.

Get it: Mad in Crafts

30. Shakespeare Plays Flowchart

Wondering which Shakespeare play to see? This flowchart has got you covered! You can print your own version for free or buy a full-size poster.

Get it: Good Tickle Brain
What are your favorite Shakespeare activities and printables? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Plus, How to Teach Shakespeare So Your Students Won't Hate It.

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30 Shakespeare Activities & Printables for the Classroom

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Think teaching Shakespeare is all toil and trouble? Methinks thou dost protest too much! These Shakespeare activities and printables will help you screw your courage to the sticking place and remember that the play's the thing! Ripped from the headlines! Set up a crime scene and challenge your class to find the motivation behind Caesar's murder.

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Shakespeare References in Rap Lyrics: An Animated History

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For many, language is the biggest barrier to understanding Shakespeare. Perfectly competent performers can be paralyzed with fear when they see bizarre words like "Methinks" and "Peradventure" - something we call Shakespearaphobia.

As a way of trying to counter this natural anxiety, we often begin by telling new students or performers that speaking Shakespeare aloud isn't like learning a new language -it's more like listening to a strong accent and your ear soon adjusts to the new dialect. Very soon you are able to understand most of what is said.

Even if you are confused about some words and phrases, you should still be able to pick up meaning from the context and the visual signals you receive from the speaker.

Watch how quickly children pick up accents and new language when on holiday. This is evidence of how adaptable we are to new ways of speaking. The same is true of Shakespeare and the best antidote for Shakespearaphobia is to sit back, relax and listen to the text spoken and performed.

Modern Translations at a Glance

Here are modern translations of the top 10 most common Shakespearian words and phrases.

1. Thee, Thou, Thy and Thine (You and Your)
It's a common myth that Shakespeare never uses the words "you" and "your" - actually, these words are commonplace in his plays. However, he also uses the words "thee / thou" instead of "you" and the word "thy / thine" instead of "your". Sometimes he uses both "you" and "thy" in the same speech. This is simply because in Tudor England the older generation said "thee" and "thy" to denote a status or reverence for authority. Therefore when addressing a king the older "thou" and "thy" would be used, leaving the newer "you" and "your" for more informal occasions. Soon after Shakespeare's lifetime, the older form passed away!

2. Art (Are)
The same is true of "art", meaning "are". So a sentence beginning "thou art" simply means "You are".

3. Ay (Yes)
"Ay" simply means "yes". So, "Ay, My Lady" simply means "Yes, My Lady."

4. Would (Wish)
Although the word "wish" does appear in Shakespeare, like when Romeo says "I wish I were a cheek upon that hand," we often find "would" used instead. For example, "I would I were ..." means "I wish I were..."

5. Give Me Leave To (Allow Me To)
"To give me leave to", simply means "To allow me to".

6. Alas (Unfortunately)
"Alas" is a very common word that isn't used today. It simply means "unfortunately", but in modern English, there isn't an exact equivalent.

7. Adieu (Goodbye)
"Adieu" simply means "Goodbye".

8. Sirrah (Sir)
"Sirrah" means "Sir" or "Mister".

9. -eth
Sometimes the endings of Shakespearian words sound alien even though the root of the word is familiar. For example "speaketh" simply means "speak" and "sayeth" means "say".

10. Don't, Do, and Did
A key absence from Shakespearian English is "don't". This word simply wasn't around then. So, if you said "don't be afraid" to a friend in Tudor England, you would have said, "be not afeard." Where today we would say "don't hurt me," Shakespeare would have said, "hurt me not." The words "do" and "did" were also uncommon, so rather than saying "what did he look like?" Shakespeare would have said, "what looked he like?" And instead of "did she stay long?" Shakespeare would have said, "stayed she long?" This difference accounts for the unfamiliar word order in some Shakespearian sentences.

It is important to note that when Shakespeare was alive, language was in a state of flux and many modern words were being integrated into the language for the first time. Shakespeare himself coined many new words and phrases. Shakespeare's language is, therefore, a mixture of the old and the new.

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Yes, You Can Understand Shakespearean English

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For many, language is the biggest barrier to understanding Shakespeare. Perfectly competent performers can be paralyzed with fear when they see bizarre words like "Methinks" and "Peradventure" - something we call Shakespearaphobia.

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Understanding Shakespeare's Stage Directions 

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Understanding Shakespeare's Stage Directions 

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Reading Shakespeare's original scripts can sometimes throw up issues around understanding - not just understanding the words of the characters, but also understanding Shakespeare'd stage directions. This article explains what stage directions are, and provides a "translation" of Shakespeare's most common stage directions.

Stage directions are simply directions to the company performing a play as to what's happening around the drama, who's on the stage and who isn't, when they arrive, when they leave, where they are on the stage, when music should be played, bugles sounded, and so on.

Here is a list of the main stage directions Shakespeare used, along with an explanation:

Alarum

Indication of the coming of a battle - a bugle call to arms

Aside

Words an actor speaks to the audience which other actors on the stage cannot hear.

Enter

Indicates the entrance on to the stage of a character or characters.

Epilogue

Last words after the conclusion of a play.

Excursion

Indication that a military attack is taking place.

Exeunt

Indicates the departure of two or more characters from the stage.

Exit

Indicates the departure of a character from the stage.

Flourish

Music usually introducing the entrance or exit of a king or another important person. It's usually a short trumpet piece.

Hautboys

Indicates that the characters entering are playing hautboys, which are Elizabethan oboes.

Prologue

Introduction of a play where someone comes on and tells the audience something important about the play that's about to be performed.

Sennet

Trumpet flourish to introduce the entrance of a character, such as a king.

Solus

Indicates that a character is alone on the stage.

Torches

Indicates that entering characters are carrying lit torches.

Within

Indicates that a person speaking or being spoken to is somewhere offstage.

The most famous and intriguing of all Shakespeare's stage directions is ' exit pursued by a bear,' in The Winter's Tale. We find it extremely funny and strange, even though it results in the death of the person being pursued: It would not be funny if you were being pursued by a bear. But to the Elizabethans, bringing a real bear on to the stage wouldn't be anything to bat an eye about. The two most popular activities in Jacobean London, vying with each other for popularity, were theatregoing and bearbaiting. As the Globe Theatre was right next door to a bearbaiting arena, bears and their handlers were readily available, and what better way was there of getting rid of a character who had fulfilled his function, without making a big drama of it?!

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Reading Shakespeare's original scripts can sometimes throw up issues around understanding - not just understanding the words of the characters, but also understanding Shakespeare stage directions. This article explains what stage directions are, and provides a "translation" of Shakespeare's most common stage directions...

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To expose high school students to Shakespeare in a simple way, these books would be great examples!

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Shakespeare Stories author Andrew Matthews fell in love with Shakespeare when he was 11-years-old. Here he picks out his 10 favourite Shakespeare books for children on the eve of the Bard's 450th birthday

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Have trouble understanding Shakespeare's language? Read this!

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Have trouble understanding Shakespeare's language? Read this!

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How to Understand Shakespeare's Language: Strategies for Reading the Bard How To - eNotes.com

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When reading verse, note the appropriate phrasing and intonation. DO NOT PAUSE AT THE END OF A LINE unless there is a mark of punctuation....

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You can use humor to teach Shakespeare? Of course you can!

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You can use humor to teach Shakespeare? Of course you can!

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Given an assignment to create a funny abridged version of a play like Romeo and Juliet, students will work hard to understand the original.

I'm an English teacher, and one of the hardest units for me to cover with my freshman students used to be Romeo and Juliet. There's nothing more awkward than having students stand and read from a giant book. They're not familiar with the language and have no idea about the meaning of what they're saying, so they lack emphasis and emotion.

Despite how terrible this process is, it's one of the most standard, traditional ways to teach Shakespeare in school-one reason the Bard is reviled by so many students across the country.

I finally got fed up and decided to take this tragedy and turn it into something amazing. Asking students to write their own shorter version of the play is a wonderful approach for Shakespeare because it has the students immerse themselves in the play they're reading. It's an approach to teaching Shakespeare more creatively.

After showing my students this hilarious 13-minute run-through of the play, I challenge them to create their own abridged version and share it with the class. Here's a breakdown of the unit.

Before Reading the Play

Before they start reading, I show the clip above. Having never read the play, students still know how it ends, so this isn't a spoiler-alert situation. And in any case the prologue lets everyone know that Romeo and Juliet die before the play even starts.

I have students break up into groups of three or four-the small group size encourages them to take on multiple roles and have some fun with the content.

Next I explain that they need to create their own-hopefully funny-version of the play, roughly six to eight minutes long. And I set benchmark days for students to finish certain acts and scenes.

While Reading the Play

After reaching each of the benchmarks, I spend a day or two discussing that part of the play and why it should or should not be included in an abridged version. This is where students become very engaged-they like to argue about what they think are the most important parts of the play.

I encourage students to take notes individually on the different acts and scenes they want to have in their abridged version, for later discussion in their groups.

After Reading the Play

Next I have students rank the top five most important parts of the play in their groups, and then share out to see what parts groups have in common and what parts they've left out. At this point the groups begin working on their abridged versions of the play. I usually give them four days to complete a draft.

When the groups present their abridged versions of the play to the class, I allow them to read from their scripts-they don't have to memorize their parts-and I strongly encourage them to use costumes. I don't record these plays because I want the students to feel as free as possible to be silly and have fun.

I don't assess the students on their plays-instead I later have them write an essay on whether or not Romeo and Juliet is meant to be sad or a statement that young love is dumb love. The purpose of the abridged versions is to engage them in the text in a way that's meaningful to them.

Why Does This Work?

When I ask my students why they go all-in on their versions of Shakespeare, their answers are all the same. They're able to explore the language on their own without worrying about sounding terrible in front of the entire class. They can look up words and phrases and find out what they mean. When they choose the scenes for their group, they spend time practicing and diving deep into the text to understand what needs to happen in each scene.

They also find that watching different movie versions helps them understand what's being said by the characters, and they're able to use that to help them with their scripts. Since they're allowed the time to explore Shakespeare in ways that are comfortable to them, students engage more fully in the text and are able to walk away with a better understanding of the story.

Teaching Shakespeare this way helps my students explore the deeper meaning of Romeo and Juliet and present their understanding in a way that's engaging for them. By removing the awkward stand-and-speak aspect of traditional classroom Shakespeare, I believe I help my students fully embrace Shakespeare. As a literature teacher, that's the best thing I could hope for with the unit.

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Given an assignment to create a funny abridged version of a play like Romeo and Juliet, students will work hard to understand the original. I'm an English teacher, and one of the hardest units for me to cover with my freshman students used to be Romeo and Juliet.

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Sharilee obtained a degree in secondary English education from the University of Calgary. She has taught in Canada for ten years.

Introducing Ten Strategies for Teaching Shakespeare

With the new implementation of the Common Core State Standards, many teachers are facing the prospect of teaching a Shakespearean play for the first time. If you are looking for some ideas for getting through one of the Bard's play without boring both yourself, and your students, to death, keep reading. I offer some fantastic strategies for teaching Shakespeare the fun way.

What are my qualifications? Well, I am a former high school English teacher and I have been told three times that "these students won't learn Shakespeare." I took those words as a challenge and smiled, "we'll see."

Perhaps you are facing a class full of students who have no interest in reading, never mind reading Thee's and Thou's. It is possible to teach Shakespeare to a class that doesn't want to learn it. Teach Shakespeare in a way that gets students interested.

This article offers ten strategies for teaching Shakespearean plays to your class You too can introduce the world's great playwright to a bunch of very reluctant teenagers who would rather have been playing video games, or texting their friends. These strategies will help your bored class turn into an Shakespearean enthusiasts.

1. Make it a Privilege

Make doing Shakespeare seem like something that students only get to do if they do all their work, and are well-behaved. Talk about it with excitement and anticipation. Don't worry about all the eye-rolling you will receive from this enthusiasm; that's just them being teenagers. Don't give up and make them believe that reading these plays is the absolute best thing you have ever done in your life. It works!

2. Assign Roles Every Day

The second strategy, is that for each individual scene, you should write out the list of characters on the board, and write the name of the person who will be playing that character beside it. You need to have all the characters in the scene written out, so that everyone can refer to it, and remind students if they have forgotten to say their line. It keeps everyone on track, like stage directions, and lets you focus on the play, instead of who's supposed to say what.

As well, assigning roles lets students have ownership of their characters, and gives them a sense of security. Let them choose their roles, as much as you can, and if Derek only wants to do the one-liner, that's fine. At least he has participated!

And roles don't have to be the same every day. Just, for every scene and every fresh day, assign new roles. You get to be the casting director every class!

It is also a good idea to keep a list of your cast members from each class, as a record of who read the most, and a reminder of who did what each class.

3. Act It Out

Act it out as much as you can. Don't give up on this one, even if you are the only one acting. That's okay. You are the role model. By acting, I mean, use movement, and try to set up a stage at the front of the class. It doesn't have to be BBC, but just give them the idea that it is a play, and not a story, or an essay. This makes it come alive, and brings out the excitement of the plays!

As well, use props, no matter how primitive! For the fight scenes, I have used clothes hangers, brooms, yardsticks, and yes, real swords. Just grab whatever is handy. Most boys, especially, will relish any opportunity to use weapons, no matter how imaginary. Acting it out is the most powerful teaching strategy you can add to your arsenal, because it makes the play come alive before their eyes!

4. As a Teacher, Take on Roles

As the teacher, take on roles as needed. Be their role model in acting it out and acting silly. This shouldn't be some stuffy exercise: it was supposed to be entertainment!

Take on the roles that no one else wants, and read with enthusiasm. You can model the pronunciation, use of language, and acting. Even if you've never acted, you are a teacher, so you must have a bit of a ham in you!

For major parts such as Hamlet, share a role with one of the students, or have them share between themselves. That way, it's not too much pressure for one person. You can either alternate lines, or read until tired. Do both, depending on what works best for that day. The point is to get through it.

4. Do Shakespearean Insults

"Thou art like a toad; ugly and venemous."
- As You Like it.

You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I'll tickle your catastrophe!
-Henry IV Part 2

Yes, there are no insults like the ones thrown around in grand fashion by the characters of Shakespeare. This activity allows students to create their own insults, and is the one instance where back talk is allowed, and even encouraged. Hilarity ensues!

I was introduced to the basic bare bones of this activity during my university years by a classroom teacher who came into our university sessional, and whose name I do not recall (sorry, who ever you are!), and then I gave it my own twist. Here are the instructions:

MATERIALS NEEDED: one large piece of coloured construction paper per student, markers (at least one per student), scissors, one list of words per student

1. Print off the list of words (found to your right here ------->)

2. Photocopy enough copies for your class

3. Each student receives a list, a large piece of construction paper, scissors

4. Students choose one or more words from each column to create insults, and write them down, with markers, on the construction paper.Preface the insults with the word "thou." Students do ten insults each

5. Instruct students to cut out each insult, creating ten different strips

6. Collect strips. Mix them up, and re-distribute, ten to each student.

7. Ask for two volunteers. Give ten random strips to each volunteer. Have volunteers stand in front of the class, facing one another.

8. Have them "duel" using the insults. One person says insult. The other one rebuts, using another insult back.

9. Have all students find a partner, and duel using their ten strips.

10. At the end, create a display with the best insults, titled "Shakespearean Insults." Use the actual strips created by students. For further engagement, have students involved in putting up the strips themselves.

Good Resource to Share with Class

6. Check for Understanding Often

Don't go very long without checking for understanding. You may be thoroughly enjoying it, but the students might be completely lost (and often are!) After a conversation, ask "what did Romeo mean here?" or "What just happened?" Then, give them some time to try to figure it out. They can check their glossary to try to understand some of the words. They can also guess, and you can take their guess, and flesh it out for more understanding.

An excellent way to check for daily understanding is to require a summary from each scene, written in their own words. This will help motivate them to pay attention, and also let you know how they are doing in their understanding.

Song from Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack

7. Sometimes, just Go with the Flow

It is important to check for understanding often, but it is also important for students to be able to experience the "flow" of a play, without always having to understand absolutely every word. I have read "Hamlet" about ten times now, but I still don't get all of it. A high school student won't either, and that's fine.

So, at time, just keep reading, even if they don't get it. This will let them experience the flow of a play, and listen to the flow and majesty that is the writing of William Shakespeare. The people in his time didn't get all of it, either, but they had fun.

8. Use Many Comparisons to Real Life

Find analogies wherever you can, between their lives and the plays you are doing. Research this if you can't find them yourselves. It is imperative for them to be able to relate, so that they don't get turned off.

Romeo and Juliet issues? Suicide, stalking, breaking up, parents not understanding, gang warfare, macho stupidity! Sound anything like today? The plays written by William Shakespeare are universal, with themes that relate well to the classroom, but it's up to you to help them find the connections!

Excellent Multi-Media Resource Introducing Shakespeare as Playwright

9. Bring in Other Media

Bring in other media, as much as possible. Your resources will vary, depending on where you teach, but try to include a variety of sources relating to the play you are doing. Try to find the most engaging version of the work you are studying, and use it. Don't torture your kids with something you would find boring.

Movies are an excellent resource, allowing the students to see the play as it was originally intended: as a drama. There are some guidelines and considerations for watching a Shakespeare film, but it can still be a very effective resource in your teaching arsenal.

Graphic novels are another excellent way to engage reluctant learners with the text. I had one student who wasn't in my class come and borrow one of our Romeo and Juliet graphic novels, and read it all, even when he didn't have to! Graphic novels give the student a visual, and are in a format that they understand and can relate to.

Another great tool to use to supplement the text is audiotape. If you can get ahold of these, they will let the students "hear" the play, which help the auditory learners in your classroom. As well, picture books are good, with visuals of the time of Shakespeare, and the costumes.

Any aids which help in the comprehension of the play will be helpful, and make learning Shakespeare fun, and accessible to all students!

10. Use a Daily Journal

Daily journals for Shakespeare study are very effective, because journals can become part of the routine, and therefore are more likely to be done by all students. You can use the journals in many different ways. A couple of the uses that I found most effective were the following:

a. Use the journal for daily summaries of the scenes that were read in class. This keeps all the summaries together in one place, and allows the student to go back to previous scenes to check for information.

b. Use the journal to write "diary" entries, from the point-of-view of one of the characters in the act that you are studying. Writing from a character's viewpoint helps them to relate to the characters, and helps develop empathy.

A journa l can be used to achieve whatever your desired outcomes are for the course, but are good because they give the students a special place to do their Shakespeare study, which encourages ownership of their work.

Hey, get Thee onward, to teach these abhorrent damsels and gentlemen the said manners and methods found therein the bowels of this great and honourable William Shakespeare!

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Sharilee obtained a degree in secondary English education from the University of Calgary. She has taught in Canada for ten years. With the new implementation of the Common Core State Standards, many teachers are facing the prospect of teaching a Shakespearean play for the first time.

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Akala demonstrates and explores the connections between Shakespeare  and Hip-Hop, and the wider cultural debate around language and it's power.

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Hip-Hop & Shakespeare? Akala at TEDxAldeburgh