A Study on Cross-disciplinary Pedagogical Strategies for Teaching Shakespeare and the Art of Public Speaking

As a master of Western literature, Shakespeare’s thirty-eight plays contain many wonderful long speeches and debates. Whether it’s the splendid verbal sparring between Antony and Brutus in “Julius Caesar” or the counterattack speech of the Jewish merchant Shylock facing the siege of Christian voices in “The Merchant of Venice,” they are all classic examples of memorable speeches. Shakespearean plays serve as excellent catalysts, providing students with the best foundation and learning models for public speaking. Not only does the philosophical depth of the text endow the art of speech with humanity and wisdom, but through the art of public speaking, it also creates a pathway for the practical application of classic literature.

 

Based on the author’s many years of teaching experience and the challenges faced in the classroom, this book presents an experiment in interdisciplinary Shakespearean application teaching through two courses: “Shakespeare and the Art of Speech” and “Shakespeare and Public Speaking.” It is the first attempt in the Chinese-speaking world to apply Shakespeare’s classics across diverse fields such as business management, public speaking, and communication. The book liberates Shakespeare’s refined language and life wisdom from the time and space of the Renaissance to the postmodern era, integrating the advantages of “case teaching method” and “role-playing method.” It meticulously designs a series of in-depth Shakespearean case studies and lively role-playing activities, impromptu speeches, and other teaching activities. It is highly forward-thinking academically and also helps teachers and readers improve the effectiveness of Shakespearean teaching. It provides various effective strategies for revitalizing classic courses, enhancing students’ cultural literacy and public speaking skills, and popularizing Shakespeare even further.