If your first reaction after reading a line of his work is “huh??”, you’re not alone. Shakespeare is challenging for most people because he wrote almost 500 years ago, and the English language has changed since then. If Shakespeare came back to life today, he, too, would not comprehend everything you said. So, don’t get frustrated or overwhelmed. Do your best and have fun. I assure you that reading good ‘ole Billy (a.k.a. The Bard) will get easier as time goes on. Here are some strategies that will help:
1. Read out loud. Reread several times. Each reading will bring new understanding. This is the kind of text you need to read slowly.
2. Read the summaries of the scenes on the left side of the page. I also like to read the glossary of terms before the actual text.
3. Keep track of your understanding by annotating; get your own copy so you can write in it, or use post-its. Write down inferences, questions, connections, discoveries, etc.
4. Know some basics about Shakespearean language and grammar:
a. Shall = should
b. Thou = you (subject – comes before the verb); Thee = you (object – comes after the verb); Thy = your; ye = informal you
c. Art = are
d. Fair = beautiful
e. Ill = bad
f. Hath = has; Doth = does
g. To make a verb negative, instead of writing "I don't love you", Shakespeare would write "I love you not".
h. He uses a lot of contractions and omits letters, syllables, or entire words to stay within the rhythm of the lines: dimm’d, o’er (over), ‘twixt = betwixt = between; ‘tis = it is; ‘twas = it was; ere = before
i. Adds syllables by adding suffixes: growest
j. Weird sentence structure/syntax: he sometimes inverts sentence parts (subject, verb, object) such as in: “From fairest creatures we desire increase” and “or else this glutton be”. The same thing does Yoda from Star Wars: “Judge me by my size, do you?” Why do you think he does this?
5. Be ready for witty puns and word play. Will is quite the Word Wizard.
6. Use context clues to understand unfamiliar words.
7. Look up unfamiliar words in a regular or Shakespearean dictionary and/or a
thesaurus (in print or online).
o http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xArchaisms.html#Glossary
o http://shakespeare.about.com/library/blglossary.htm?terms=glossary
o http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-insults-dictionary.htm
8. Enhance and supplement your understanding of the texts by reading annotations, paraphrases, commentaries, and analysis of the texts online. However, don’t go straight to the cheat sheets; try to figure things out yourself. These should supplement not replace the text you are reading!
Here are some great online resources:
o http://shakespeare.about.com/ (includes paraphrases and analyses of sonnets)
o http://www.folger.edu
o http://www.shakespeare-online.com
o http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare
o http://www.bardweb.net
9. Use other guides in print such as Cliffs Notes and No Fear to supplement your understanding; never use these to replace the text.
10. Discuss the text with others. Ask questions.
11. Enjoy his work!
1. Read out loud. Reread several times. Each reading will bring new understanding. This is the kind of text you need to read slowly.
2. Read the summaries of the scenes on the left side of the page. I also like to read the glossary of terms before the actual text.
3. Keep track of your understanding by annotating; get your own copy so you can write in it, or use post-its. Write down inferences, questions, connections, discoveries, etc.
4. Know some basics about Shakespearean language and grammar:
a. Shall = should
b. Thou = you (subject – comes before the verb); Thee = you (object – comes after the verb); Thy = your; ye = informal you
c. Art = are
d. Fair = beautiful
e. Ill = bad
f. Hath = has; Doth = does
g. To make a verb negative, instead of writing "I don't love you", Shakespeare would write "I love you not".
h. He uses a lot of contractions and omits letters, syllables, or entire words to stay within the rhythm of the lines: dimm’d, o’er (over), ‘twixt = betwixt = between; ‘tis = it is; ‘twas = it was; ere = before
i. Adds syllables by adding suffixes: growest
j. Weird sentence structure/syntax: he sometimes inverts sentence parts (subject, verb, object) such as in: “From fairest creatures we desire increase” and “or else this glutton be”. The same thing does Yoda from Star Wars: “Judge me by my size, do you?” Why do you think he does this?
5. Be ready for witty puns and word play. Will is quite the Word Wizard.
6. Use context clues to understand unfamiliar words.
7. Look up unfamiliar words in a regular or Shakespearean dictionary and/or a
thesaurus (in print or online).
o http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xArchaisms.html#Glossary
o http://shakespeare.about.com/library/blglossary.htm?terms=glossary
o http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/shakespeare-insults-dictionary.htm
8. Enhance and supplement your understanding of the texts by reading annotations, paraphrases, commentaries, and analysis of the texts online. However, don’t go straight to the cheat sheets; try to figure things out yourself. These should supplement not replace the text you are reading!
Here are some great online resources:
- for sonnets: http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/index.php
o http://shakespeare.about.com/ (includes paraphrases and analyses of sonnets)
o http://www.folger.edu
o http://www.shakespeare-online.com
o http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare
o http://www.bardweb.net
9. Use other guides in print such as Cliffs Notes and No Fear to supplement your understanding; never use these to replace the text.
10. Discuss the text with others. Ask questions.
11. Enjoy his work!
No comments:
Post a Comment