Which do you think is best? Shakespeare question?

Question

Between reading, performing or whatching Shakespeare which do you like best and why?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, I've read, acted, and watched Shakespeare, along with directing several of his works.

I can honestly say that acting is the best. You can understand what he's trying to communicate, and you'll learn how to translate the verse, especially if you have a good director. There's only so much you can glean by watching or reading, acting provides a nice mix.

Answer 2

All three experiences (reading, performing, watching) are terrific.

You have to bear in mind, however, that Shakespeare didn't write plays to be READ...he wrote scripts for performance. In fact, in his day, actors wouldn't receive complete scripts for their shows; only "sides" (their own lines, with the cue lines that precede them). It wasn't until several years after his death that Shakespeare's dramatic works were collected and published.

That's a long-winded way of saying that NOTHING beats the experience of seeing Shakespeare performed live...assuming the actors and director know what they're doing. At its best, Shakespearean drama is as good as it gets...at it's worst, it's mind-numbingly bad.

And, for those who are so inclined, the experience of playing Shakespeare is unparalleled. Nothing I've ever done as an actor challenged me as thoroughly, or was as rewarding.

Answer 3

All three have their advantages. Reading the plays in a good edition ( one with plenty of notes ) gives you the chance to go back over passages and understand where old Will was coming from and the context in which he was writing.
To perform the plays you obviously have had to read, learn and understand them so as to be able to put over to the audience the story,emotions/feelings, and quiet simply the words, which, lets face it, are not put together in the same way as modern speech.
Then there's watching the plays. I'd studied 'Winter's Tale' and hated the damn thing but when I saw the RSC doing it, it all made sense. And the plays are open to almost infinite interpretation with regard setting and period.
I think the ideal is to learn the play, perform it, video it, then agonise as to how you could have done it better..
All this probably doesn't help but I hope you get my meaning....

Answer 4

Reading the real Shakespeare plays that never have actually been performed (Yes it's true the true originals were never performed and are only now becoming available).

Answer 5

i'm no professional, yet it reads so `authentic` that it should be Shakespeare or between the Greats. Sorry i will no longer help more suitable, yet there's a area which will hint a poem from a unmarried line of verse, in the experience that your quote is precise.

Answer 6

Reading and then performing! Shakespeare leads you in a different world and it's very hard to perform not becouse it's written in verses but becouse is a world few know, so for a person who doesn't know...like me, it's a challenge!

Answer 7

Holding a literature degree, reading is the best for me. I loved every bit of his words. Shakes is the greatest of all!!

Answer 8

Watching. If I were a better actress (I harshly suck as an actress!), I'd say performing.

Answer 9

watching cause plays are meant to be seen not read

Answer 10

watching cause plays are meant to be seen not read