Shakespear - No relevance to the 21st century?

Why learn the old english in shakespear, why not the modern translated version? I cannot see why this will help you in your future, or career.

For example, I don't see people ordering pizza talking in old english, "thou pepperoni pizza, thee...", and learning different languages has a little relevance, as you can translate books, talk to people in different languages, but learning old english does not help you in the future, why not learn modern english in school more, instead of learning old english.

However, there is still relevance in the 21st century, understanding the past language of english, and translating books from shakespear, yet, it is better to read the modern language (in my opinion), instead of the old english, as we do not use it today, in any way, and I personally think it is useless to learn about shakespear in my English lessons.

So what do YOU think about it?

 

NO one and i mean NO one can explain it better than this.

 

I see, but I don't see any point learning the language in an english lesson, one of the main lessons in school/college. As I cannot think of a point in my life that I will talk in old english.

 

also, you can apply the stories themselves to life today. For example, Macbeth was a really good general, but he made an awful king. Someone might be really good at their job in the corporate world, but might suck if they get promoted to a higher position.

 

I am studying the Tempest now in school, and the way we are doing it is just reading it in the regular old English way and just sort of translating it if we don't understand what it means. And as someone said before...it's not like they are trying to make you speak in old English all the time or even learning it to speak it fluently. It is important though if you want to further study Shakespeare.

 

Shakespeare is great as it helps your critical reading. The symbollism of Shakespearean plays were superb to any modern writing, and if translated to modern English, and if you relied on the translations for the same effect, you would be disappointed.

 

Shakespeare is modern English..................... >_>.

Anyways... I never read the original version... I find it utterly pointless since I can get through classes with the translated version plus spark notes... >_>.

 

There is some kind of things that you learn even if you will never use them, more as a personal enrichment ^^

 

Well, some people actually enjoy great literature...