The discussion on how to teach Shakespeare in college emphasizes the need to move beyond students' preconceived notions and backgrounds. The goal is to immerse freshmen in the profound emotional experience of Shakespeare's poetry, urging them to engage deeply with works like Hamlet and King Lear. The teaching approach encourages students to feel the text instinctively and viscerally, rather than analyzing it purely intellectually.

In a lighthearted exchange between the characters Kinbote and Shade, Shade expresses his enjoyment of the rich, vivid passages in Shakespeare's work. He compares his appreciation to a dog relishing a spot of grass, highlighting a sense of joy in the beauty of the language. This metaphor captures the essence of experiencing literature not just as a tedious academic exercise but as a source of delight and emotional resonance.