Shakespearean Enjoyment

Charlotte Mason extolled the idea of reading adult level literature to children.  It exposes them to beautiful vocabulary, well written phrases, complex plots and all sorts of stimulating ideas.

” The children’s lessons should provide material for their mental growth… afford them with knowledge,… of the kind that the child may recall as a man with profit and pleasure.”

Last year Ria and I read Macbeth.  This year we decided to embark on Twelfth Night for a change.  We are thoroughly enjoying this that I almost have to curb the reading!  Brandon found it irresistible and without invitation affixed himself to our Shakespeare slot! Who would have thought a rowdy 7-year-old would appreciate the 16th century Bard of Avon!  Something tells me that Charlotte Mason would not be as surprised as his mother!

Brandon has even been attempting to read some himself, with a little help, of course.  (Ria has to exercise great patience here – God bless her!)  He loves to play Andrew Agueface!  We each choose one or more characters and dramatically read out the lines.  When finished with an act, we watch the youtube version on-line.  It really is a lot of fun!  I thought it amusing how Brandon brought Shakespeare’s comic relief into a real life situation.

While rushing to tennis, Ria accidentally tripped and bruised herself quite badly.  After the application of some ointment and when her tears subsided, Brandon soothed his sister with an abridged version of Viola’s lines to the Lady Olivia. “Some mollification,….sweet lady?”  And Ria could not hold back the laughter!  Neither could I!

It is rewarding when our children casually allow us a glimpse into their formative minds and desires.  Later in the day when Brandon accompanied me to the post office, he asked if we could swing by the store that sells chips.  “Hmm, chips or a book?” I asked.  His eyes immediately brightened, “A book! A book!”

Man shall not live by chips alone?!