Carnett: How poor are they that have not patience for Shakespeare

Perhaps a line from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is appropriate: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

Queen Gertrude, mother of the Prince of Denmark, uttered those immortal words. The statement generally describes one who attempts to cover his or her tracks.

The phrase may apply to a recent situation in Sacramento. An English teacher admitted that she no longer assigns works by the Bard of Avon to her high school students. Why? Because they shouldn’t be subjected to work by a “long-dead British guy.”

Are you serious?

She added that she’s disinterested in an “early form of the English language.” I’m at a loss.

So Shakespeare’s name is on this instructor’s kaput list, no doubt with Alfred Lord Tennyson, John Keats and William Blake. Maybe even Winston Churchill.

But Shakespeare’s not your average putrefying Celt. Five hundred years after his birth he remains relevant and England’s national poet.

Even into the 21st century, he continues to be the greatest writer of the English language and the world’s preeminent dramatist in any tongue. His major works — 38 plays, 154 sonnets and assorted poems — have been translated into every major living language.

Shakespeare’s themes cover the spectrum of human experience.

How do I know this? Because I’m a moderately educated member of society. Had I known nothing of the Bard, I’m afraid my life would be severely stunted.

My first exposure came during a high school English class. We read “Julius Caesar” aloud in class. Talk about riveting action with considerable backroom intrigue!

True, without further probing I would have understood only about 50%. Careful parsing of passages is required with Shakespeare. It’s called becoming educated.

I quickly discovered that the spoken word is often more understandable than a word on a page. Yet the printed word is crucial for making sense of profound insights.

During my introduction to Shakespeare, I learned words that I’ve remembered — and occasionally used — since. Without Shakespeare, I’d never have known “anon” (soon), “alchemy” (wondrous transformation), “farthingale” (hoop skirt) and “knave” (a base fellow).

I played the character Launce in my college’s production of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” in 1964. Launce, a gentleman’s servant, is master to a scruffy hound named Crab. I learned what it’s like to be upstaged by a no-talent mutt who couldn’t even remember his lines.

I took an introductory Shakespeare class my junior year in college. I signed up for a graduate-level seminar as a senior. My research paper focused on the Bard’s masterpiece, “King Lear.”

Who can forget Lear’s tragic death? The ancient king pours out his heart over the death of his blameless and beloved daughter, Cordelia. I first read that scene before my three daughters were born. It touches me deeply to this day.

“And my poor fool is hang’d!” Lear wails. “No, no, no life / Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, / And thou no breath at all? Thou’lt come no more, / Never, never, never, never, never! / … Look on her, look, her lips, / Look there, look there!”

He dies.

Shakespeare, in his great body of work, puts sorrow and loss into human perspective.

I’ve visited on several occasions Stratford-upon-Avon, the English market town that announces itself as “synonymous with William Shakespeare.” It’s Shakespeare’s birthplace and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

I’ve viewed numerous productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” including a hilarious version by the Royal Shakespeare Company. My eldest daughter has performed in several productions of the play.

I have a bust of the Bard — purchased more than 40 years ago — prominently displayed in our house. My 28-month-old grandson asked me just the other day: “Who is that, Opa?” I told him.

He now refers to him as “Shaky-beard.”

To not know William Shakespeare, methinks, is to not understand and appreciate the English language.

I can’t imagine our culture without him.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.