I want to read some Shakespeare
- Thread starter George P Burdell
- Start date
Born2bwire
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- Oct 28, 2005
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Anubis
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MagnusTheBrewer
IN MEMORIAM
- Jun 19, 2004
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Where ever you start, it would be helpful to read a synopsis of the play to get a little background on the historical setting of the piece and/or the societal impact. The comedies are my favorites.
- Nov 30, 2005
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I found The Tempest to be the best read and not particularly difficult for a Shakespeare noob. 
KT
KT
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
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The easiest ones to approach for a beginner would be some of the comedies. Try Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing to start. If those work out move into the tragedies with Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet. If you're still good to go you can move on to any of the others with those four as a background.
IIRC, my first Shakespeare was Julius Caesar, then The Merchant Of Venice, then Othello. That was high school, don't quite remember the cirriculum in college.
Gibsons
Lifer
- Aug 14, 2001
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One way to start is by watching the plays (or movie adaptations) instead of reading them. They were meant to be watched and heard after all...
The Kenneth Branagh version of Taming of the Shrew isn't bad imo. There are a lot of versions of MacBeth, Othello, R&J and a few histories as well. There's a Mel Gibson version of Hamlet... dunno if I'd recommend that though.
The Kenneth Branagh version of Taming of the Shrew isn't bad imo. There are a lot of versions of MacBeth, Othello, R&J and a few histories as well. There's a Mel Gibson version of Hamlet... dunno if I'd recommend that though.
PottedMeat
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- Apr 17, 2002
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Make sure you get a book that has the play on one page or side and the explanation/historical information on the other side.
Or you can go rent Hamlet/Macbeth/etc. Or read some Cliff's Notes.
Or you can go rent Hamlet/Macbeth/etc. Or read some Cliff's Notes.
zinfamous
No Lifer
- Jul 12, 2006
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Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I found The Tempest to be the best read and not particularly difficult for a Shakespeare noob.
KT
That's a good start, Also Midsummer Night's Dream. As far as the tragedies, best one to start out with is probably Macbeth. It's short, fairly simple. It can be complex, but not necessary to understand/enjoy.
Save Hamlet/Lear/Othello for later. These are incredibly complex, long...and require a PhD to fully enjoy
(but not to understand)Lear is by far my favorite.
See either the play or a good movie adaptation.
Remember these are PLAYS, they're meant to be seen not read....
When you find a play or movie you like, then you can read it to get the finer nuances out...
Remember these are PLAYS, they're meant to be seen not read....
When you find a play or movie you like, then you can read it to get the finer nuances out...
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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