I'm planning on reading a few of his things, but I'm not sure which one to read first. I'm dead-locked between "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Hamlet." But I'd like to know which one (out of all of his work) is your favorite?
2007-02-02 10:13:21 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
My favourite is 'The Taming of the Shrew'. It is fairly easy to understand and is funny. If you do read it and like it then I recommend seeing the movie with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It is really brilliant!
'Julius Caesar' is another one of my favourites as well. It has some great passages.
2007-02-02 14:55:07 · answer #1 · answered by briar_gregory 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what you're into.
Hamlet, if you like psychological tragedy.
Macbeth, same deal, but with an anti-hero.
Lear: just very, very good.
Much Ado: very funny, comic ending
Henry IV, Parts II and III: good read
Richard II: good physiognomy (if you don't know, read it)
Midsummer Night's Dream: all around fav...loads of good stuff here.
Titus Andronicus: if you've never cried while reading a Shakespeare play, this one will do it.
Twelfth Night: twisted-funny
Julius Caesar: very good, very topical
Romeo and Juliet: it's amazing what an honest conversation could have avoided.
The Tempest: Shakespeare's last attributed play. Just very, very good.
Basically: pick a mood. There's a play that will answer your need. Have fun, read as much Shakespeare as possible, exercise, and take your vitamins. Good luck--
2007-02-02 19:45:53 · answer #2 · answered by KD 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I find it very difficult to pick the 'best' Shakespeare play, simply because some were comedies and some were tragedies.
My pick for best comedy is 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Great characters, fantastic plot, romance, intrigue, it's got it all!\
Best tragedy...well...I WOULD go with 'Hamlet', but frankly, the Scottish Play (aka *gulp* 'Macbeth', lol) does it for me every time. It's the cursed play, after all!!!
2007-02-02 20:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by bcs_boadicea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romeo and Juliet is easiest, but a little light on "deep" content. (At least compared to the others.)
It's a cliche to always say Hamlet as a response to "best," but it really is the best. There's a reason why the to be or not to be monologe has been quoted for centuries.
A very often overlooked play is Merchant of Venice. It's a little goofy in that it mixes some dark, heavy themes in with some stuff that borders on farce, but I find it very entertaining.
Also, for folks who are new to good old Bill, I recommend starting with plays that have good film adaptations available. (Some call this cheating, but, really plays are meant to be performed, not read.)
Both Hamlet and Merchant of Venice have very good movie versions available. Al Pacino is great in the latest MoV.
Hope you enjoy whatever play you decide to take on!
2007-02-02 19:03:25 · answer #4 · answered by Illustrator C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I love Shakespeare, but for tonight I feel like saying..... "Hamlet", I remember the first time read it, I was so obsessed that I learned by heart a great part of Hamlet's monologue To be or not to be..
2007-02-03 01:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by Abbey Road 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all of them have strong admirers for various reasons. Remember, response response theories. You bring your own interpretation of the text, the writer only writes but for understanding and comprehension and interpretation to be complete, the reader has to bring in put into the text. Hamlet is dense and rich but I prefer Othello's style. Merchant is tragicomedy that sets one thinking. You'll have to begin somewhere and see how far you go yourself. Do not begin with original unabridged versions. start with shorter tales like Lambs tales of Shakespeare and appreciate the tales. then decide which one to give a full-length plunge.
2007-02-03 06:47:15 · answer #6 · answered by ari-pup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamlet! Definitely Hamlet! lol
2007-02-02 18:15:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Much Ado, I like Hamlet.
I looooove, Titus Andronicus, that is the most effed up thing I've ever read. (check out the movie with Anthony Hopkins) It's got it all, murder, scandal, conspiracy, war, human sacrifice, revenge, and cannibalism.
I hate Romeo and Juliet with a fiery passion.
2007-02-02 18:24:25 · answer #8 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romeo and Juliet is a must read. I love that book, so sad. Hamlet is also very good too.
2007-02-05 02:08:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorite is a tragedy, "King Lear". It's about his relationship with his three daughters.
As to your choices, it would depend on whether you are in the mood for a comedy or a tragedy. It's hard to go wrong with Shakespeare.
2007-02-02 18:18:15 · answer #10 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋