Why is Romeo and Juliet still read, performed, and adapted 400 years after its first opening? Why is this tragic play considered such an essential part of Western culture? Shakespeare's work has been translated into at least 100 languages, but why?

According to britishcouncil.org, Romeo and Juliet was performed on stage in 24 countries between 2006 and 2016.  There have been countless adaptations and interpretations in the form of movies, ballets, puppet shows, TV shows, cartoons, as well as theatrical performances. 

Throughout the week, we will discuss the social conventions of Shakespeare's time (family life, marriage, governance, class structure, etc.) and contrast it with our own. Students are encouraged to ask questions, but if they don't, the teacher will. After reading, we will view selected clips of several film versions and adaptations of the play. Students will be given a list of possible project ideas, to be presented on the last day of class.

Day 1: Students will begin learning about, practicing, and gaining confidence in their ability to read Elizabethan English aloud. We will choose our parts and read act 1 through scene 3. Many many puns will be enjoyed and/or groaned about.

Day 2: Today we will discuss original pronunciation and how linguists have figured out what it sounded like in Shakespeare's day--it's not at all what you might expect. No one is expected to try reading in original pronunciation, but they are welcome to try. I try sometimes and I'm not very good at it.
Students will choose new parts for today's scenes. We'll discuss how you know you're in love, what does that even mean, and how do you know it's not just really strong like? We will read act 1, scene 4 through act 2, scene 3, and then watch some scenes. 

Day 3: So much happens today you won't even believe it! Day three has it all: Love! Hate! Comedy! Murder! And a very disrespectful song! We will read act 2, scene 4, through the end of act 3.

Day 4: As on every day, we begin by picking our parts. And again, so much happens. It's full of comedy, tragedy, and a casual mention of the plague. So of course we'll talk about the plague, too. We will read all of act 4 through act 5, scene 2.

Day 5: We read the final scene, including a very significant few pages that I have never seen performed on stage or screen. If you've read the play you know what I'm talking about: if you have not I don't want to give it away, but we are definitely going to discuss it.

Throughout this 1-week intensive, we will discuss these questions and others as they arise organically from the text:

Why has Shakespeare been translated into over 100 languages?
Why does this play continue to be performed and adapted around the world?
How did Shakespeare contribute to the English language?
What the heck is iambic pentameter anyway?
What does a play about love, lies, obsession, revenge, friendship, family loyalty,  bad decisions, and the high cost of "us vs. them" have to teach us in the 21st century?
What can we learn about making better choices from Romeo and Juliet?
Were they really in love, or was it just infatuation?
Did Taylor Swift read the play before she wrote the song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E
(I will argue that she may have started but probably didn't finish.)
And why doesn't any production ever use the REAL ENDING Shakespeare wrote? 

Class time will be spent in reading and discussing the entire play, as well as supplementary work.  Homework will include watching clips online and writing responses (not summaries) to the work done in class.  The final project will be chosen by each individual student (in consultation with teacher) and might include writing, performance, artwork, parody, music, etc.

No background in Shakespeare is required.