“To be, or not to be”, is that even a question anymore? For many students sitting in a classroom staring at 400-year-old Early Modern English, the real question is: “What is the point of studying Shakespeare?“ At Apollo Scholars, we hear this all the time. It can feel like Shakespeare is a hurdle to jump over for a grade, but the truth is far more interesting. Shakespeare was not writing for textbooks; he was writing for the “groundlings“, everyday people who wanted blood, romance, dirty jokes and political scandals.

In this guide, we will break down why the “Bard of Avon” is still the undisputed heavyweight champion of the English language and how Apollo Scholars tutoring can help you find the rhythm in his rhyme.

Table of Contents

1. Is Shakespeare Still Relevant in the 21st Century?
2. How Did Shakespeare Invent the Way We Speak?
3. Why is Shakespeare the “Father of Modern Psychology”?
4. How Do Shakespeare’s Plots Influence Modern Movies and TV?
5. What Are the Benefits of Studying Shakespeare for Exams?
6. Why is Shakespeare’s Mastery of Structure Important?
7. Common Myths About Shakespeare (He is Not as “Posh” as You Think)
8. How Apollo Scholars Tuition Can Make Shakespeare Easy

Is Shakespeare Still Relevant in the 21st Century?

It is easy to think that a man from the 1500s has nothing to say to a modern teenager. However, Shakespeare’s themes are universal. He wrote about:

• Ambition and Power: (Macbeth)
• Teenage Rebellion and Forbidden Love: (Romeo and Juliet)
• Jealousy and Gaslighting: (Othello)
• Identity and Revenge: (Hamlet)

If you have ever felt betrayed by a friend or obsessed over a crush, you are living a Shakespearean plot.

Macbeth Blog Series: Your Ultimate GCSE Guide

How Did Shakespeare Invent the Way We Speak?

You might think you do not speak “Shakespearean,” but you do, every single day. Shakespeare is credited with inventing or popularising over 1,700 words and countless phrases.

If you have ever used the words “lonely,” “fashionable,” “manager,” or “eyeball,” you are quoting Shakespeare. If you have ever been “in a pickle” or gone on a “wild goose chase,” you are using his metaphors. Studying his work is like looking at the DNA of the English language. Through Apollo Scholars tuition, students learn to decode this language, which significantly boosts their own creative writing and vocabulary scores.

Why is Shakespeare the “Father of Modern Psychology”?

Before there were therapists or psychologists, there was Shakespeare. He was one of the first writers to give characters “inner lives.”

In a Shakespearean soliloquy (a speech where a character talks to themselves), we see the gears of the human mind turning. We see Hamlet’s indecision and Lady Macbeth’s guilt-ridden descent into madness. He understood how trauma, grief and ego drive human behaviour. For any student interested in psychology or sociology, Shakespeare is the ultimate case study.

How Do Shakespeare’s Plots Influence Modern Movies and TV?

You have likely seen a Shakespeare play without even knowing it. Writers today still use his blueprints because they work perfectly.

• The Lion King is a retelling of Hamlet.
• 10 Things I Hate About You is The Taming of the Shrew.
• West Side Story is Romeo and Juliet.
• Succession (the TV show) draws heavily from the power dynamics of King Lear.

Learning to spot these tropes makes you a more sophisticated consumer of media. Our Apollo Scholars tutoring sessions often use these modern comparisons to help students visualise the “bones” of the story.

What Are the Benefits of Studying Shakespeare for Exams?

Beyond the “artistic” reasons, there are practical academic benefits. Shakespeare is a staple of modern curriculums around the world for a reason:

1. Critical Thinking: Analysing his metaphors requires high-level cognitive effort.
2. Structural Analysis: Understanding Iambic Pentameter helps students understand rhythm and emphasis in speech.
3. Historical Context: His plays provide a window into the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, bridging the gap between History and English.

Why is Shakespeare’s Mastery of Structure Important?

Shakespeare wrote mostly in blank verse, specifically a rhythm called iambic pentameter. This is not just a fancy term, it is the rhythm of a heartbeat (da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM).

When characters are calm, they speak in perfect rhythm. When they are upset or losing their minds, the rhythm breaks. Learning to “read the rhythm” is a secret weapon for any student.

Common Myths About Shakespeare (He is Not as “Posh” as You Think)

One of the biggest barriers to enjoying Shakespeare is the idea that he is “elite.” In reality:

• The “Thou” vs. “You” trick: “Thou” was actually the informal, friendly version, while “You” was formal. Shakespeare used this to show when characters were getting too comfortable or being disrespectful.
• He loved “Low” humour: His plays are packed with puns and slapstick comedy that would fit right into a modern sitcom.
• He was a businessman: He wrote what sold tickets. He was not trying to be difficult; he was trying to be entertaining.

How Apollo Scholars Tuition Can Make Shakespeare Easy

If you are feeling overwhelmed by The Tempest or lost in Lear, you are not alone. Shakespeare is meant to be heard and seen, not just read silently in a dark room.

Apollo Scholars tutoring provides:

• Personalised Support: We explain the “why” behind the “wherefore.”
• Interactive Tuition: We use modern technology and performance techniques to bring the text to life.
• Confidence Building: We help you stop fearing the language and start using it to your advantage.

Whether you need a Shakespeare tutor for a specific exam or general English tuition to improve your grades, Apollo Scholars is here to ensure you do not just “study” Shakespeare, you master him.