ANALYSIS – “WHY IT’S TIME TO GIVE THE
BARD THE HEAVE HO!” – BRANDON
ROBSHAW
The text „Why it’s time to give the Bard the heave ho!“ by Brandon Robshaw is about Shakespeares
relevance today and if he should still be discussed in classes. The author points out different opinions and
discusses the pro and contra.
The text has got a very clear, contrastive structure, which makes it easier for the reader to follow the
argumentation. Robshaw gives an adoption to the text (l.1f) and says that there are different, but more
modern views on Shakespeare today. Afterwards he gives an antithesis with traditional opinions on
Shakespeares relevance and a provisional conclusion (l.17-19). In the following, he explains the
deployment of the discussion on Shakespeare and gives reasons for the changing opinions on his
relevance (l.20-49). At last, the author draws a conclusion with the synthesis that Shakespeares writings
should be only discussed by interested, well-educated students (l.50-55). This structure helps the reader
to understand the text better and makes them find the argumentative structure convincing.
The author uses different devices to catch the reader’s attention und to make him find his arguments
convincing. For example, he makes use of a prevocational headline and many examples (l.6-16) to give a
good argumentation. Therefor he also uses citations of Shakespeare himself or other famous authors (l.9f,
l.32f, l.47) and tells about his own experiences (l.25-29, l.31-33) to make the reader continue reading and
believe in his message.
Brandon Robshaw uses special language to make the reader find his text interesting. For example, he
makes use of many adjectives, adverbs and nouns which underline Shakespeares unique achievement.
This can be seen in expressions like “staggeringly prolific” (l.10f), “amazing skill” (l.13), “unmatched ear”
(l.15) or “uncanny ability” (l.15f). They underline, that Shakespeare had a great talent and his writing are
English – “Why it’s time to give the Bard the heave ho!” Brandon Robshaw Anika Ochel
1
BARD THE HEAVE HO!” – BRANDON
ROBSHAW
The text „Why it’s time to give the Bard the heave ho!“ by Brandon Robshaw is about Shakespeares
relevance today and if he should still be discussed in classes. The author points out different opinions and
discusses the pro and contra.
The text has got a very clear, contrastive structure, which makes it easier for the reader to follow the
argumentation. Robshaw gives an adoption to the text (l.1f) and says that there are different, but more
modern views on Shakespeare today. Afterwards he gives an antithesis with traditional opinions on
Shakespeares relevance and a provisional conclusion (l.17-19). In the following, he explains the
deployment of the discussion on Shakespeare and gives reasons for the changing opinions on his
relevance (l.20-49). At last, the author draws a conclusion with the synthesis that Shakespeares writings
should be only discussed by interested, well-educated students (l.50-55). This structure helps the reader
to understand the text better and makes them find the argumentative structure convincing.
The author uses different devices to catch the reader’s attention und to make him find his arguments
convincing. For example, he makes use of a prevocational headline and many examples (l.6-16) to give a
good argumentation. Therefor he also uses citations of Shakespeare himself or other famous authors (l.9f,
l.32f, l.47) and tells about his own experiences (l.25-29, l.31-33) to make the reader continue reading and
believe in his message.
Brandon Robshaw uses special language to make the reader find his text interesting. For example, he
makes use of many adjectives, adverbs and nouns which underline Shakespeares unique achievement.
This can be seen in expressions like “staggeringly prolific” (l.10f), “amazing skill” (l.13), “unmatched ear”
(l.15) or “uncanny ability” (l.15f). They underline, that Shakespeare had a great talent and his writing are
English – “Why it’s time to give the Bard the heave ho!” Brandon Robshaw Anika Ochel
1
