Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

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“Shakespeare” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Shakespeare’s Life
1. When was William Shakespeare born?
2. Where did Shakespeare live most of his life?
3. What did Shakespeare do besides writing plays?
4. Can you name any members of Shakespeare’s family?
5. How did Shakespeare’s life influence his writing?

II. Shakespeare’s Plays
6. Can you name three plays written by Shakespeare?
7. What is a tragedy play by Shakespeare you know?
8. What is a comedy play by Shakespeare you have heard of?
9. Have you ever watched a Shakespeare play? Which one?
10. Why do you think Shakespeare’s plays are still popular today?

III. Characters in Shakespeare’s Plays
11. Who is your favorite character from a Shakespeare play? Why?
12. Can you name a villain from one of Shakespeare’s plays?
13. Which Shakespeare character do you think is the most interesting?
14. Are there any characters in Shakespeare’s plays you do not like?
15. How do Shakespeare’s characters show different human emotions?

IV. Themes in Shakespeare’s Works
16. What are some common themes found in Shakespeare’s plays?
17. How does Shakespeare explore the theme of love in his plays?
18. Can you think of a Shakespeare play that deals with power and ambition?
19. How does Shakespeare show the theme of betrayal in his works?
20. What lessons can we learn from the themes in Shakespeare’s plays?

V. Language and Writing Style
21. Why is Shakespeare’s language considered difficult by some people?
22. What are some famous quotes from Shakespeare that you know?
23. How has Shakespeare influenced the English language?
24. Do you find Shakespeare’s writing style poetic? Why or why not?
25. What are some unique words or phrases Shakespeare used in his plays?

VI. Shakespeare in Education
26. Should Shakespeare be taught in schools? Why or why not?
27. How were you first introduced to Shakespeare’s works?
28. What is the best way to understand Shakespeare’s plays?
29. Do you think it’s important to see a play performed rather than just read it?
30. How can teachers make Shakespeare more interesting for students?

VII. Modern Adaptations of Shakespeare
31. Can you name any movies that are based on Shakespeare’s plays?
32. How do modern adaptations change the original stories of Shakespeare?
33. Do you think modern adaptations are respectful to Shakespeare’s works?
34. What is your opinion on updating the language in Shakespeare’s plays for modern audiences?
35. Have you seen any modern performances or adaptations of Shakespeare’s works? Did you like it?

VIII. Global Influence of Shakespeare
36. How has Shakespeare influenced other cultures around the world?
37. Can you think of any sayings or idioms that come from Shakespeare’s works?
38. Why do you think Shakespeare’s works are translated into so many languages?
39. How do people in your country view Shakespeare’s plays?
40. Do you know of any famous writers in your country who were inspired by Shakespeare?

IX. Theatrical Performances of Shakespeare
41. What do you think makes a good performance of a Shakespeare play?
42. Have you ever been to a Shakespeare festival or theater?
43. What would you expect to see at a Shakespeare play in a theater?
44. How do costumes and sets contribute to a Shakespeare play?
45. What are some challenges actors might face when performing Shakespeare?

X. Shakespeare’s Sonnets
46. What is a sonnet?
47. How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?
48. What themes are present in Shakespeare’s sonnets?
49. Do you have a favorite sonnet or line from a sonnet by Shakespeare?
50. How are Shakespeare’s sonnets different from his plays?

XI. Controversies and Debates
51. Are there any controversies surrounding Shakespeare’s identity?
52. What do you think about the theory that Shakespeare did not write his own plays?
53. How do scholars interpret the lack of information about Shakespeare’s life?
54. Why do some people question the authorship of Shakespeare’s works?
55. How do debates about Shakespeare’s life and work affect his legacy?

XII. Personal Opinions on Shakespeare
56. Do you enjoy reading or watching Shakespeare’s works? Why or why not?
57. Which of Shakespeare’s works would you recommend to a friend?
58. How do you personally relate to the stories and characters created by Shakespeare?
59. Do you think Shakespeare’s works are relevant to modern society?
60. What has been your most memorable experience with Shakespeare’s works?

🎉 Coming Soon ⏳

🧑‍💻 1 to 1 Online English Classes 👩🏻‍💻

Practice English through Zoom with me, Paul, or one of the teachers I have chosen for you. Suitable for all ages and levels.

Choose the teacher and time you want. 🧑🏻‍🏫👩‍🏫⌚️

You can learn:
– English writing skills (essays, emails, etc.) 
– English conversation practice 
– English pronunciation practice
– Textbook classes
Anything you want

Introductory prices:
60 minute class with native speaker (e.g. Paul): US$34.99 US$24.99
60 minute class with non-native speaker (e.g. Philippines, Indonesia): US$9.99 US$7.99

Interested? Please fill in the form and I will contact you soon!

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