A Fun Shakespearean Scene - Insults Included

One fun scene we explore in our workshop is from A Midsummer Night’s Dream - the hilarious argument between Helena and Hermia. The kids absolutely love performing this scene, especially when they get to use Shakespeare's insults like "canker blossom" and "you thief of love!"

Before we work on the scene we talk about how we feel and sound when we’re angry, and whether we might ever resort to name-calling like these characters do. It is amazing to see how invested the students become as they understand the emotions behind the words and begin to relate to the characters.

The kids always want to perform the scene over and over again. Watching them jump in and speak the lines of these characters with excitement and energy reminds me of why I love bringing Shakespeare to children.

If you're looking for a fun way to introduce Shakespeare to kids, this scene is a fantastic place to start! Download it here!