Sir, – When I studied English in secondary school from 1979 to 1985, my teachers went to great lengths to ensure we avoided the approved and bowdlerised versions of Shakespeare in favour of the unexpurgated editions we used in class. It is unclear what damage to our young minds the Department of Education was hoping to avoid by censoring the Bard.
Now a small number of parents have objected to the current recommended texts (News, July 26th).
Frankly, I’m more concerned about the mountain of dross and damaging material available online than a challenging book presented in the proper context by my child’s English teacher. – Yours, etc,
SIMON WOODWORTH,
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Belgooly,
Co Cork.