On being intimidated by Shakespeare and which plays to read or watch first
William Shakespeare is my homeboy. I find comfort within his texts. Whether that’s analysing them closely for study, or watching them performed on stage or screen for pleasure, the ability to capture my attention every single time is astonishing.
I think as Westerners, and especially as white English people, we take Shakespeare for granted. We’re aware of his presence and his words before we really have a proper understanding of the history of literature and language. He’s just there.
But writing from the late 16th century does not feel immediately accessible, nor does it appear particularly relevant. His words and phrases, however, still infiltrate how we communicate with each other, we just do not realise it. See here for things we say all the time that can be attributed to Willy.
At first I struggled to fully understand what I was reading when I cracked open a play. The most important thing to remember, I think, is that these texts were not meant to be read like a book. They were created to be living, breathing things, performed to a live audience. Watching ‘Macbeth’ is a whole different experience to reading it. It’s on another level.
Also, don’t let yourself get too bogged down in the meaning. Like I said, if you skip reading altogether and head straight to watching, then you’ll have an even easier time, because the actors will convey the meaning without you needing to understand them word for word.
It’s exactly like learning a new language. The more you absorb and immerse yourself in it, the quicker you pick it up, and as far as Shakespearean goes, it’s one of the easiest to get to grips with. Trust me!
So if you’re thinking of dipping your toes into this Shakespearean waters, here’s where I recommend you start. I’ve made a list of reading and watching recommendations.
The Tempest
- The gateway drug. Cited as one of Shakespeare’s later plays, it has much more of a balance rather than simply being a ‘tragedy’ or a ‘comedy’.
To watch: Julie Taymor’s ‘The Tempest’ for a gender-reversed Prospero scenario.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- So much fun. If being trapped on a desert island doesn’t interest you then I suggest you skip right to this one instead. Fairies, a trippy night in the woods, mixups and troubles and romances… And an ass.
To watch: The 1999 version with a great ensemble cast
Romeo and Juliet
- It’s an obvious choice but it has to be done. You’ll no doubt be familiar with some of the passages, and I thought it was great to see how they sit within the play with context.
To watch: Baz Luhrmann’s version. A game changer.
If you want to level up, or would prefer something more gritty then here are three of my personal faves:
Titus Andronicus
- If you have a delicate constitution then this one is not for you, sir. It’s violent, shocking, and it just gets worse and worse. It’s often argued to have been written by someone else, or at least, not entirely written by Shakespeare, but it *feels* like Shakespeare, and that’s enough for me.
To watch: Julie Taymor’s ‘Titus’ is a trip. Features Anthony Hopkins in the lead role.
Macbeth
- The Scottish Play. If your name titles a Shakespeare tragedy then you’re marked for death. But getting to that point involves so much twisty-turny intrigue and marvellous plotting.
To watch: If you can find Kenneth Branagh’s NTL version from 2015 then that is the one for sure. Otherwise, the more recent adaptation with Michael Fassbender is quite fun.
As You Like It
- Girls dressed as boys, you know, the usual Shakespeare cross-dressing schtick. However, the questions surrounding gender and sexuality are ever prevalent. It’s a bit of a romp, but in a controlled kind of way.
To watch: I would recommend a classic stage production, but go for Kenneth Branagh’s 2006 adaptation if you can’t find one. (Kenneth Branagh does like slap himself all over every Shakespeare play going. And he’s a fair actor. Sometimes he does get on my nerves though… his diction can be odd).
The thing is with Shakespeare, is once you get accustomed to the rhythm and the rhyme, and the general *vibe* you’ll be hooked for life. And that’s a promise.
Do you have a favourite Shakespeare play?
Written by Sarah
