Day 4 - Makes up words...get's called a genius

On the heels of my outrageous spike in blood pressure yesterday, I was in need of some serious warm fuzzies at school today.  Riled up from the stressful day, and oddly energized from an 8:15 yoga class last night, I stayed up until nearly midnight organizing my files on Microsoft Word (totally necessary, obviously).  Consequently, I was little discombobulated starting my day.  My second period class was filled with myriad interruptions, but I remained almost startlingly calm and moved comfortably through my day – just waiting to bump into something new.

It happened during sixth period.  I found myself the star of a Shakespearean Internet meme. 

Let me back this up.  A few days ago, I was teaching the scene in Macbeth where the murderers kill Banquo but fail to slay his son, Fleance.  They are bumbling and horrified by their failure and return to Macbeth to tell him they have only completed half the job.  I suggested to my students that this particular scene might just be the ultimate example of the “you had one job” Internet meme.

“You know about Internet memes!?!”  exclaimed one student.  I gave him my best teacher stare. “I have a pulse” was my retort.  Then I felt badly because these kids are truly sweethearts, so we spent a couple minutes talking about other ways that Shakespeare could be turned into Internet memes and then moved onto more acting out of murder and mayhem in the Scottish play.

Today I started my sixth period class chatting away about the homework before introducing a Shakespeare valentine project that brings me infinite joy each year.  Gradually I realized that many of the students had “I’m hiding Otis cookies under my desk and I’m going to sneak a bite when you’re not looking” smiles on their faces.  They were shifting around and barely repressing their smirks.  Slowly, a piece of paper set up on the ledge of my back white board came into focus (well, sort of into focus.  I don’t have the best eyesight – see my Day 2 blog).   “What is that? Is that Shakespeare??”  Giggles long suppressed erupted.  “Bring that up here!” The bravest – proud of the handiwork, but nonetheless uncertain of how it would go over – stepped hesitantly to the front, the paper in question in an outstretched hand. Oh, it wasn’t Shakespeare – it was better.  It was a meme.  With MY face on SHAKESPEARE’S BODY.

I laughed so hard, I literally bent double.  “This is awesome!!”  I cried!  Guffaws - tinged with relief and fueled by pride in a scheme kept quiet - filled the room.  I was suddenly (as I often am) overwhelmed by what a joy it is to teach these students.  They embrace literature with a gusto that nearly matches mine, and they reflect back a passion that echoes my own, but reverberates with the freshness of first inquiry and insight only possible when one is fifteen.   One of them told me she set up a facebook page for her class where they could share literary memes.  I actually thought “These kids are so cool.”  And that is why I teach English.

**A quick explanation of the saying on the meme.  A week or two ago, I was explaining that at times Shakespeare adds syllables to words to make them fit iambic pentameter.  One student’s jaw dropped and her brows knit together in genuine outrage.  “That’s cheating!!”  she cried.  “That’s Shakespeare, “ I replied.**