2007-02-22 01:10:39 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Hamlet is easiest hands down. Romeo and Juliet is actually one of the hardest, but because it is such a great introduction to the work of the period, it is the most widely taught.
Trust me, Hamlet is the easiest because you'll actually be interested. It's about a prince whose father is killed by his own brother who then takes the thrown and marries the queen. From there Hamlet tries to prove the conspiracy and several people die in the process. Because of this, Laeretes (I'm certain I spelled that wrong. Forgive me) tries to kill Hamlet. Hamlet's Uncle, now the king, wants Hamlet dead because he's afraid the young man's figured everything out. In the end almost everyone dies. Great story that will keep you hooked. Romeo and Juliet... two star crossed lovers? *yawn*
If you like Hamlet, you should also read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. It's a farce that was written many years later by another man and it is downright hilarious, but it's still written in Shakespearan verse.
Regardless of what you decide, go to sparknotes.com, pinkmonkey.com, or something to that effect to make sure you understnad what's going on. If you're wrong about your interpretation of something, it can throw you off entirely. The biggest thing that turns people off of Shakespeare is that they either get bored or they misunderstand.
2007-02-22 02:48:58 · answer #1 · answered by uncletoon2005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've no experience reading Shakespeare, then wait to read any of the dramas or tragedies until after you've got some of the easier ones under your belt. Start with the lighter comedies and then work your way up to the more involved ones.
Twelfth Night is a good starting point, it is quite short and funny, and the writing is no where near as serpentine as the more advanced plays. After that move on to Much Ado About Nothing, and Midsummer's Night Dream.
Most copies now are annotated with relevant translations of difficult passages especially if you buy text book versions. As well, try following along with an audio or film version, it really helps if you can watch/hear the interplay between characters. Although, in a movie version remember that the play has been adapted for film, if you can, get a copy of a stage production.
2007-02-22 10:43:50 · answer #2 · answered by fleurpixie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an English teacher, I generally recommend the tragedies as being easier to read, because Shakespeare's humour was quite obscure at times, and what he found funny we just find weird. I also like the histories. I recomment Julius Caesar or Macbeth for tragedies, and Richard III or I Henry IV for histories.
2007-03-01 23:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Midsummer Night's Dream
2007-02-22 09:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by white.sale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be easier to listen to one of the plays like "Midsummer Night's Dream" or "Romeo and Juliet" instead of reading. Or watch them on film. If you listen on cd or tape, read along as it will help you with the early modern English.
Or you could just read The Prologue to "Romeo and Juliet" and you will have the entire plot in a beautiful sonnet:
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whole misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
2007-02-22 09:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would have to say romeo and juliet or a midsummer nights dream. a lot of books have the shakespeare version on one page and the english we use today on the following page in case you get stuck. its very helpful. enjoy!
2007-02-22 09:22:04 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me, it was Richard the third.
I like Shak. a lot, but I find his comedies quite dull (I specifically hate the jesters in all his plays, and the highest concentration of jesters is to be found in comedies), therefore difficult to read.
2007-02-22 09:17:19 · answer #7 · answered by jlb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say either A Comedy Of Errors or The Taming of the Shrew....loved them both.
2007-02-22 09:23:54 · answer #8 · answered by aidan402 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not sure- listen to the other people about which one.
but it would make it easier for you if you have a dictionary- or a vopy of the play with foortnotes that explain archic words...
2007-02-22 09:29:14 · answer #9 · answered by Mogli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
il say romeo and juliet or twelfth night.
2007-02-22 09:13:12 · answer #10 · answered by bunbananabun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋