Shakespeare is almost universally regarded as one of the finest writers of all-time, but that doesn't mean he's everyone's particular cup of tea. For many, reading Hamlet or The Tempest can be like trying to read a foreign language. If that's you, then here's a few tips that will help you understand the depth and the beauty of Shakespeare's imagination.
1. Focus on the Use of Metaphor
Shakespeare was a master writer, so it makes sense that his writing style would encompass all the different tools at his disposal. One of his favorites was using a metaphor, or a word or phrase that is applied to something else that it is not literally relevant to. For instance, in a specific scene in Macbeth, the king compares Lady Macbeth to a tree, saying "I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing" (I,v). Obviously, Macbeth is not a real tree, but the imagery applies all the same.
2. Pay Attention to Pronouns
Particularly in long speeches, Shakespeare is prone to blending people and pronouns so that the reader is easily lost on what is happening to whom. In Romeo and Juliet, for instance, Romeo calls Juliet "the sun," and in the very next line, says "Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon/who is already sick and pale with grief/ That thou her maid art more fair than she." In this segment, the "who," "she," and "her" that is sick with grief is the moon, and "thou her maid" is the sun. Sections like this require the reader to really key in on who and what is transpiring, and if necessary, don't be afraid to consult outside resources from the internet for specific works, such as example Romeo and Juliet study guide questions. Resources like these provide guidance to help lead the reader towards a proper understanding of the text.
3. Limit Thoughts to Punctuation Marks
Since a lot of Shakespeare's more famous works (at least to an English-speaking audience) is comprised of poetry, it can be tempting to think that each individual line comprises one unique thought, when in reality, Shakespeare, like most writers, go from punctuation mark to punctuation mark. Semicolons, periods, all colons, all illustrate a break in his stream of consciousness, so it's important to use those as the bookends for his points.
4. Research Individual Words
Because Shakespeare wrote several centuries ago (and also because, well, he's Shakespeare), he often wrote words that are either unfamiliar to modern-day audiences, or just eliminated some of the letters altogether. These new words he formed are shortened versions of multiple words, called "contractions." The word for "give" is sometimes written as "gi," "e'er" is the contracted version of "ever," and "a'" becomes "he." Understanding these and more will help comprehension.
If you need a little extra help, you can always consult a glossary of famous Shakespearean words. Some of the more peculiar words that you won't necessarily get from context clues are "whittle," which means "a clasp knife," and "Months-Mind," which is a monthly remembrance of the deceased, but sometimes can convey a sense of strong desire.
5. Read in a Dramatic Voice
Shakespeare's works were meant to be performed on stage in front of a live crowd, so it was vital that the performers not only understand what was being said, but how they were supposed to say it, especially so that the ones in the back could understand what was going on. For this reason, even though he uses 98% of the same words that we use in the present day, his writings can sometimes come off as unfamiliar.
Remember that Shakespeare also was a master wordsmith, so if his rhyme sequences and word choices seem a bit off, it's because he revelled in creating an almost "new sound" for his audiences. His characters are lively, the jokes bombastic, and the figures are meant to be larger-than-life in every respect. Emotions are calibrated to the highest degree specifically to leave no doubt as to the character's persona.
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