Have you ever just stared blankly at a page, attempting to will yourself to read the words in an effort to study, but just not getting there? At times, it’s because you’re intimidated by the wording or the size of the book. Sometimes you don’t know where to start or the subject doesn’t seem to compel you. Other times, you simply need a little direction about how best to study. 

Shakespeare is a performance based art form. From that, we conclude that it is mean to be acted out, seen and heard, so reading it silently to yourself is probably not going to yield a lot of fruit. Here is a list of four ways to tackle a play, starting from the adequate to the best form:

4.   READ ALOUD

Sound is a large element of performance. Through the differing voices of the characters we can hear meaning, emotion and emphasis in a soliloquy (a large speech which someone is usually making to themselves). You can differentiate between characters and imagine how they would deliver a line, thus causing you to think more deeply about what is being said. If you don’t have the means for numbers 1-3 in this list, I recommend reading the play aloud with at least one other person, taking on varying roles. If you can get together with a larger group of friends or family members and read the play together, that would be ideal, not to mention fun! 

3.   LISTEN

Your grandfather can tell you all about his Saturday mornings listening to the Lone Ranger on his wireless radio or the late evenings where “Only the Shadow knows…..” Listening to a dramatized performance of a Shakespeare production is a very helpful way to understand the plot and characters of a play. In fact, it has all of the amenities of a live production- actors for each part, sound effects, line delivery with emotion and emphasis- except the physical interpretation. In a way, it’s a bit more freeing than seeing the actors on stage delivering their lines, because you can imagine what each character looks like and what actions they’re taking while delivering speeches. BBC Radio has dozens of dramatized versions of most of Shakespeare’s works and often you can find them for free on YouTube! Use your script to read along while listening.

2.   WATCH

There is something magical about sitting in a crowded theater, with music in the background, holding your playbill and waiting for the show to begin. The lights dim, go out and come back on again to transport you into a new world; a story that needs to be told. Obviously attending a live performance is the best way to experience Shakespeare as this is his intention for his plays. If you can’t see a live performance, watching a recorded version of a live production is helpful as well. Still adequate, but less exciting, is to watch a movie adaptation. I caution watching adaptations merely because they are often abridged and any modern movie is probably going to highlight any hint of inappropriateness. So, proceed with caution when watching a film version.

1.   PERFORM

The best and most engrossing way to study Shakespeare is to be part of a production. This is how I fell in love with the Bard, his tales and his unforgettable characters. You hear the lines over and over; you get to know the role you portray in many facets as you try to interpret; you see the director work out how scenes should be staged and blocked and why he chooses those particular movements; and you have discussion upon discussion about what lines and phrases are really conveying. If you get the opportunity to work on a production as a cast or crew member, I highly encourage you to take advantage of it.

Any method of studying Shakespeare, whether reading it aloud to yourself or performing in a local production, is worth the time and mental energy. You will grow in character, sympathy, understanding and creativity!