Shakespeare Decoded

Have you ever felt stumped when reading Shakespearean literature such as Macbeth by William Shakespeare? If so, make sure you check out Good Tickle-Brain. Good Tickle-Brain, a website, offers a collection of Shakespeare-related comics such as scenes from Macbeth, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Henry V, King Lear, and Richard II. The website provides explanatory comics for each of the scenes in the previously mentioned plays. In addition to Good Tickle-Brains comics being visually appealing and providing accurate information, the best thing about the website is that it translates classic writing into a more modern and comprehensible language. Additionally, Good Tickle-Brain allows for the reader to interpret a lot of the text for themselves which permits them to have their own opinions. Therefore, because Good Tickle-Brain provides a modern interpretation and allows for readers to interpret some information in Shakespeare’s plays, it is the best secondary source.

Shakespeare’s writing is notorious for being confusing to readers in the 21st century. It is a challenging read because of the out of date language and puzzling word arrangement. Good Tickle-Brain interprets Shakespeare’s classic literature and accurately translates it to a more modern text. The text in the Good Tickle-Brain comics is easily understandable to a high school student, which minimizes the amount of confusion and stress for the reader. The site even voices some of the jokes and sarcastic moments in Shakespeare’s play that also add a comical aspect. It is much easier to read and retain information when the writing is familiar. The language in Macbeth can be confusing for the reader, such as these lines said by Banquo,

“My noble partner

You greet with present grace and great prediction

Of noble having and of royal hope,

That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not.”

(I,iii, 54-57)

On Good Tickle-Brain this quote is rephrased to say, “Hey, those are some nifty prophecies! Do you have any for me?” (goodticklebrain.com). This quote exemplifies that Good Tickle-Brain uses up-to-date terminology to interpret Shakespeare. Good Tickle-Brain does a phenomenal job at writing in a well known and modern language that is more comprehensible to the audience of Shakespeare’s plays. Therefore because Good Tickle-Brain provides a modern perspective on classic literature it is the best secondary source.

Secondary sources are usually used by students who are too lazy to read their assigned homework and want a quick summary of their reading. The majority of secondary sources do just that, which is why most teachers do not allow their students to use them. This is because homework is assigned for a reason, to learn! Good Tickle-Brain, although it is a secondary source, provides tidbits of accurate information, but also ensures that students will complete their assignments by leaving room for interpretation. This causes students to form their own opinions, but with guidance from Good Tickle-Brain. On Good Tickle-Brain Act II Scene i when Macbeth is caught off guard by a floating dagger, it is translated to , "Huh, strange a floating dagger. It’s just a figment of my imagination. The figment is still there and now it’s covered in blood and pointing the way to Duncan, and everything is really weird” (goodticklebrain.com). This is a very vague, but accurate summary of the whole passage that describes this event. In Macbeth, within the passage where Macbeth sees the dagger, it reads,

“Thus to mine eyes. Now o’er  the one-half world

Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse

The curtained sleep…”

(II, i, 50-52).

The direct translation of this excerpt is not specifically included in the Good Tickle-Brain comic, so therefore it encourages the reader to analyse it for themselves. Therefore, because Good Tickle-Brain makes readers interpret a lot of the text for themselves by giving a very general summary, it is the best secondary source.

Many secondary sources, such as SparkNotes and Wikipedia, don’t offer completely accurate analysis of writing. Most teachers prohibit their students from referring to secondary sources due to the fact that many of these sources do not provide correct information. Also, they do not allow for the reader to think and interpret the text for themselves. Good Tickle-Brain is not only a well reputed website, it is also an exceptionally accurate secondary source. It provides Shakespeare readers with visually appealing comics that depict scenes in plays. It is written in a modern and easily comprehensible language that also permits the readers to interpret some of the text for themselves. Better yet, teachers tend to like this website and allow it to be used as a second-hand reference! Therefore, Good Tickle-Brain is the best secondary source.