by Stephen Hammel

Created on: June 19, 2009

There is a significant difference between reading Shakespeare and studying his work. The former is the pursuit of enjoyment, the second is a quest for understanding what the author was trying to accomplish through his work. In either case, knowing the English language is critical. Shakespeare wrote to a wide audience, both educated and not, aristocratic and common. Different characters were developed to spark interest in each social caste, but their roles were all designed to capture the essence of human nature. When studying Shakespearean plays, knowledge of social context, English history, and linguistic artistry will open the doors to understanding what The Bard captured in his work.

Before undertaking the study of any play, keep in mind that you must recreate the theater experience in your mind. You must be the director, using the stage direction supplied in the text, and follow the action through the different scenes. Each scene is a different place, and required that new props be placed on the stage to bring about the change of scenery. There are no wasted words. Literary devices, such as asides, the chorus, stage direction, dialogue, and soliloquy are all used to elicit specific understandings in the audience, of which you become a part. In order to experience the theatre, you must know, and employ, these devices as they were intended.

The language of Shakespeare can be quite intimidating to the young student, and presents specific challenges to readers who are not accustomed to antiquated meanings. Often, double entendre is hidden in seldom used denotations, and almost always in slight connotative shifts. In other words, you must sometimes stretch the application of a word or phrase so that you can capture its complete meaning. Many editions of Shakespeare's plays include translations to aid in this, and if you are not comfortable with 400 year-old English, using one of these versions is highly recommended. Over time, you will become more familiar with Elizabethan English and need the text's assistance less frequently. Also, keep a dictionary handy. I prefer the Oxford English Dictionary, but most reputable dictionaries should get you through.

Unlike today's novels, plays are conversations among characters without the benefit of a narrator linking together the conversation with information needed to differentiate between characters. When reading the play, assign a different voice to each character. It is also helpful to have each

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