The anonymous author of the 1616 The Office of Christian Parents was the Dr. Benjamin Spock of the early 17th century. This handbook collects the conventional wisdom around parenting during Shakespeare's day.
The office of Christian parents. [Cambridge] : Printed by Cantrell Legge, printer to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, 1616
STC 5180
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Pp. 139-140: girls 12 and up
Pp. 156-157: boys 14 and up
P. 178 and p. 186: conclusions about boys
P. 194: instructing children
Teacher Ideas
Darin Johnson / Ames High School, Ames, IA / English
I use these excerpts to help the students find contrasts with the ideas of parenting in Romeo and Juliet, and with modern notions of parenting.
Julie Kachniasz / Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC / Festivals Project Coordinator
The excerpt on pages 139-140 is a wonderful piece to pair with Romeo and Juliet, 1.3 and 3.5.112-215. After having students read all of the texts, I ask them to assume the persona of the author of The Office of Christian Parents and write an additional passage for his book based on what they know about his views and those espoused by the Capulet’s. How would he critique the parenting in the Capulet household?
Jane Purcell / Claremont High School, Claremont, CA / English
Polonius is certainly diligent in guiding Laertes and Ophelia, but is he wise? I ask students to compare the advice in this pamphlet with the advice Polonius gives Laertes. The comparison highlights the secular, pragmatic quality of Polonius's instruction.
Marjorie Margolis / Conant High School, Jaffrey, NH / English
I teach The Merchant of Venice and discuss with students the ramifications of being a non-Christian in a culture that was almost exclusively Christian. Also look at the passages in A Midsummer Night's Dream where Hermia and Helena discuss their education. Lastly, consider Love's Labor's Lost and the King of Navarre's idea that learning requires renouncing food, sex, and sleep.
Steven Christiansen / Estacada High School, Estacada, OR / English
Journal prompt or class discussion: is it more important to be true to one's self, or to others? Students can talk about characters in Hamlet and to whom they stay true. Is anyone in the play true to himself and does that, indeed, keep that character from being false to others?
