As a recent convert from Shakespeare Non-Appreciator to Shakespeare Appreciator, I can list a few things that helped me.
1) Shakespeare's sentence structure and vocabulary are incredibly vibes-based. You might say he was a vibe-scripter. Channel your inner LLM and use fuzzy logic.
1a. Do read a nicely annotated copy for unfamiliar words, but don't get too hung up on it.
2) The iambic verse meter was unfamiliar to me, but is absolutely crucial to the vibes. So while reading, *literally* mumble the words like "bah-DUM-bah-DUM-bah-DUM" until you get a feel for it.
3) You can talk back to the characters. Just because a character says something, even if they say it eloquently, doesn't mean it is true or even supposed to be true. The character might not even think it is true, or they might change their mind about it in the very next line.
Some of these things you should probably not do in public.
The only place I differ from your advice is about the Arden editions. They are just Too Much Footnote for a first-time reader, and make the plays more intimidating rather than less. I found that a nice, friendly, lightly-annotated Folger edition was a better place to start.
In college I would rent a player with headphones and the Shakespeare play in audio format from the media library, and I’d sit and listen to the audio performance while reading along in the text and make notes (I’m partial to the Folger edition myself). Of course, nowadays I can probably listen to any play on Audible with the likes of Ian McKellan narrating while reading along in various formats (hard copy, phone, Kindle reader). In one week I see my first Shakespeare performance (Twelfth Night at the Globe)!
You will love the Globe. And this production of Twelfth Night is great fun. If you have seated tickets, then take your own cushion (or you can rent one there) the wooden benches are hard! If you are standing (a groundling) take a raincoat with a hood, just in case. Have a wonderful time.
My hero is Rafe Esquith, who taught his inner-city LA 5th graders great Shakespeare. The documentary Hobart Shakespeareans is so wonderful. And they had visits from Michael York and Ian McKellan. As a teacher he later said that his book-loving grads were such good readers because he always read to them while they read the text. Sight plus speaking plus hearing.
Plus the Judi Dench book Shakespeare, the Man Who Pays the Rent is a current thrill. Like seeing all his plays from mind of his favorite actress.
As a recent convert from Shakespeare Non-Appreciator to Shakespeare Appreciator, I can list a few things that helped me.
1) Shakespeare's sentence structure and vocabulary are incredibly vibes-based. You might say he was a vibe-scripter. Channel your inner LLM and use fuzzy logic.
1a. Do read a nicely annotated copy for unfamiliar words, but don't get too hung up on it.
2) The iambic verse meter was unfamiliar to me, but is absolutely crucial to the vibes. So while reading, *literally* mumble the words like "bah-DUM-bah-DUM-bah-DUM" until you get a feel for it.
3) You can talk back to the characters. Just because a character says something, even if they say it eloquently, doesn't mean it is true or even supposed to be true. The character might not even think it is true, or they might change their mind about it in the very next line.
Some of these things you should probably not do in public.
This is all excellent
Thank you!
The only place I differ from your advice is about the Arden editions. They are just Too Much Footnote for a first-time reader, and make the plays more intimidating rather than less. I found that a nice, friendly, lightly-annotated Folger edition was a better place to start.
In college I would rent a player with headphones and the Shakespeare play in audio format from the media library, and I’d sit and listen to the audio performance while reading along in the text and make notes (I’m partial to the Folger edition myself). Of course, nowadays I can probably listen to any play on Audible with the likes of Ian McKellan narrating while reading along in various formats (hard copy, phone, Kindle reader). In one week I see my first Shakespeare performance (Twelfth Night at the Globe)!
Great way to get through the plays! I used to do the same with Oscar Wilde and some dvds
You will love the Globe. And this production of Twelfth Night is great fun. If you have seated tickets, then take your own cushion (or you can rent one there) the wooden benches are hard! If you are standing (a groundling) take a raincoat with a hood, just in case. Have a wonderful time.
Thank you!
My hero is Rafe Esquith, who taught his inner-city LA 5th graders great Shakespeare. The documentary Hobart Shakespeareans is so wonderful. And they had visits from Michael York and Ian McKellan. As a teacher he later said that his book-loving grads were such good readers because he always read to them while they read the text. Sight plus speaking plus hearing.
Plus the Judi Dench book Shakespeare, the Man Who Pays the Rent is a current thrill. Like seeing all his plays from mind of his favorite actress.
Have I told you lately I love you?
:)
I watched a dress rehearsal of Macbeth today!
so good!
Calling everyone I know a cream-faced loon