Which Shakespeare plays should I read first?
You probably should start with a classic like Romeo and Juliet, the story is so familiar that you’d have no problem keeping up. But if tragedy isn’t your thing you might want to pick up Midsummer or Much Ado About Nothing. Those are the first plays I read and I found them delightful and easier to read than some others.
Where should I start with Shakespeare?
If you are about to read Shakespeare for the first time then choosing the right play will help tremendously. Luckily variety is not a problem. I’d recommend starting with one of the most popular ones. Something like ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Othello’ or ‘The Merchant of Venice’.
Should I read Hamlet or Macbeth first?
Macbeth is a much grittier and psychological, which in my opinion makes it more interesting. If you are interested in Hamlet, I would read Macbeth first to get a sense of what kind of drama you would be preparing for. There are tons of Shakespeare companion guides that will assist you with the language as you read.
What are the best Shakespeare editions?
Recommended Shakespeare Editions: Arden, Oxford, and Cambridge
- Arden Shakespeare (3rd Edition)
- New Cambridge Shakespeare.
- Oxford Shakespeare.
- Arden Shakespeare (2nd Edition)
Why you should read Shakespeare?
It is important to study Shakespeare in order to understand the modern world, indeed to understand people. Shakespeare’s words are memorable; they stick with us, as he invented so many new ones. He is never afraid to use metaphors or puns. He consistently wrote excellent, crowd-pleasing plays from comedy to tragedy.
How do students read Shakespeare?
Five Strategies for Teaching Shakespeare to Students with Learning Differences
- Listen first.
- Start with 15-minute plays.
- Leverage media.
- Read in class.
- Teach common Shakespearean words and phrases like vocabulary.
- Don’t read Shakespeare-made-easies!!!
Should you read Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare, possibly the greatest playwright ever, captured such characters and how they behave in various scenarios. His plays are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them, possibly more so. Shakespeare’s plays can help us interpret what is going on. That’s why you should read some of them.
Which Shakespeare should I read next?
What we’ve compiled here, then, is less a definitive list of ‘best Shakespeare plays’ and more a small selection of some of his most talked-about, reread, performed, and adapted plays. We’ve included some facts about them as we go.
What is the best Macbeth book?
Score
| 1 | Macbeth by William Shakespeare 3.90 avg rating — 749,700 ratings score: 496, and 5 people voted |
|---|---|
| 2 | Macbeth: English National Opera Guide 41 by Giuseppe Verdi 4.10 avg rating — 21 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted |
| 3 | King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett 4.26 avg rating — 2,091 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted |
Why are there different versions of Shakespeare’s plays?
Although he may very well have intended to publish his plays, there is no evidence of his having supervised the printing of any of them. Thus all modern editions of Shakespeare are necessarily editorial reconstructions of the plays’ texts, drawing upon centuries of scholarship and endless revision of the details.
What is the value of reading Shakespeare?
Shakespeare’s characters and plots are both of his time and for all time. His plays allow us to see ourselves anew.” Audiences today can connect onstage and with his words on the page. Because his themes are universal and timeless, interpretations of Shakespeare’s work appeal to various audiences.