by Kristina Hutchinson

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 09, 2009

How to Read Shakespeare: A Study Guide For Students

When I was in high school there was nothing I dreaded more than the reading assignments. I admit that as an English student, I hated reading classics such as The Scarlet Letter and The Canterbury Tales. In my youthful opinion they were long, wordy, and so old. I couldn't understand why I had to read them, let alone comprehend and analyze them. I suppose I found it all a waste of effort and time.

So when I was assigned a Shakespeare play to read I couldn't believe what a cruel joke my teacher was playing on me. But I had to complete the assignment and I had to pass the class so I knew I must find a way to understand a play that was written hundreds of years ago. The following suggestions helped me to actually read an entire Shakespeare work and be able to join in on class discussions. I hope that you will find them as helpful as I have.

Study Suggestions:

*Read slowly: To begin, read word by word, line by line.

*Read Aloud: By hearing the sound of the word or phrase, this will help you to make better sense of what you are reading.

*Read Footnotes: It is a good idea to stop when you cone to an asterisk (*) and go to the bottom of the page your are on and look for a corresponding footnote. Footnotes are the tiny print at the very bottom of the page. I have found them to be an invaluable help.

*Take Notes: Write them in your textbook if you are able to. Otherwise, keep a notebook handy.

*Read Masterplots: It is a collection of summaries of classic literature. It will help you to understand the plot and explain the action clearly and briefly. You should be able to find this book in your local library.

*Read Cliffs Notes: It gives a detailed summary of each chapter, act, scene, etc; character analyses and a brief background of the author.

*Watch a video or see the play. There are many well-produced adaptations of Shakespeare's works out there. Check your local library for films.
In conclusion, I hope that you will discover, as I have, a deeper understanding and respect for both the author and his works.

There are reasons why Shakespeare's writings have stood the test of time: they are well-written and have a deep sense of humanity. The past several years of my adulthood have given me a respect for the relevancy of such plays as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night and As You Like it.

So take on your next homework assignment, open up the pages of your textbook and Enjoy!

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