Shakespeare is ironically easy to read once you read it enough. All understanding Shakespeare takes is a little effort and the ability to re-read. We can all do that, right? I’m not necessarily saying say goodbye to sparknotes and ignore those footnotes on the side, but they aren’t essential to your understanding. Are they helpful? Yes of course. But after a little practice and enough time being exposed to his style and diction, it becomes easier and almost natural. Shakespeare translations are definitely helpful when needed, but just re-reading the text can be just as valuable. Read slowly, read carefully, and if all else fails, just read it again. And again. And again.
First of all, you should know how Shakespeare writes. His style is, ironically, unlike any other writer’s, but his themes and motifs and characters and phrases and symbols and plots are seen throughout our modern literature almost constantly. That just proves how important and crucial he is to our lives as readers and striving literature experts. So understanding his pieces sounds fairly important, right? Well here is a step by step on how to do so:
2) Dissect!
Dissect Shakespeare’s words and sentences and phrases. Read the surrounding words and sentences, what is he trying to say? First off, Shakespeare uses the phrase “green-eyed monster”, which refers to somebody that is jealous. Knowing that definitely helps the understanding of this sentence. Next, Shakespeare says “which doth”. What does he mean by that? Well, logically, replacing that phrase with the modern day word of “that” makes more sense. After dissecting and thinking analytically, the sentence now reads: “it is the jealousy that mocks the meat it feeds on”.
3) Think about it!
After translating Shakespeare's confusing, old text into modern day language, the meaning is less camouflaged and easier to comprehend. Re-read the new sentence… “it is the jealousy that mocks the meat it feeds on”. Shakespeare is essentially saying, the more jealous you get, the more mad you’re going to get. Getting jealous is what is feeding the fire of madness. Shakespeare has an uncommon way of writing, but his meanings are timeless and are so important for the reader to understand.
Following these 3 steps will tremendously help any reader’s struggle when reading Shakespeare. After the 3 steps, if the meaning is still vague, Sparknotes and Footnotes are usually available. The easiest thing to do when reading Shakespeare is to just take a step back and to not get overwhelmed. Just read it. Then read it again. And again. And again.
First of all, you should know how Shakespeare writes. His style is, ironically, unlike any other writer’s, but his themes and motifs and characters and phrases and symbols and plots are seen throughout our modern literature almost constantly. That just proves how important and crucial he is to our lives as readers and striving literature experts. So understanding his pieces sounds fairly important, right? Well here is a step by step on how to do so:
- Just read!
2) Dissect!
Dissect Shakespeare’s words and sentences and phrases. Read the surrounding words and sentences, what is he trying to say? First off, Shakespeare uses the phrase “green-eyed monster”, which refers to somebody that is jealous. Knowing that definitely helps the understanding of this sentence. Next, Shakespeare says “which doth”. What does he mean by that? Well, logically, replacing that phrase with the modern day word of “that” makes more sense. After dissecting and thinking analytically, the sentence now reads: “it is the jealousy that mocks the meat it feeds on”.
3) Think about it!
After translating Shakespeare's confusing, old text into modern day language, the meaning is less camouflaged and easier to comprehend. Re-read the new sentence… “it is the jealousy that mocks the meat it feeds on”. Shakespeare is essentially saying, the more jealous you get, the more mad you’re going to get. Getting jealous is what is feeding the fire of madness. Shakespeare has an uncommon way of writing, but his meanings are timeless and are so important for the reader to understand.
Following these 3 steps will tremendously help any reader’s struggle when reading Shakespeare. After the 3 steps, if the meaning is still vague, Sparknotes and Footnotes are usually available. The easiest thing to do when reading Shakespeare is to just take a step back and to not get overwhelmed. Just read it. Then read it again. And again. And again.