If you were only going to read one Shakespeare play, which is the best to read?

Question

I've read Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, King Lear and Othello in high school, but I wouldn't be opposed to reading them again...I barely remember any of it.

Also, what do you think of the "No Fear Shakespeare" books that have Shakespeare's play on one side and a modern-English translation on the other?

Answer 1

Midsummer Nights Dream - as it's a lovely little fairy tale and not heavy and rambling like alot of his plays!!

Answer 2

If you're gonna read Shakespeare, read the original. It may take time to really get into it and understand what the heck is going on but it so wonderfully layered! Not to mention that Shakespeare was a poet. You won't get the same out of a modern "translation".



_Romeo and Juliet_ is good and worth a reread now that you are older and more mature, _Hamlet_ is great too, one of my favorites. I'm reading _The Taming of the Shrew_ right now and I love it. Possibly the first feminist text. Gotta love The Bard :D.

Answer 3

My favorite is Hamlet. I just love all the characters and think there's someone everyone can relate to. Plus you haven't read it yet! No Fear Shakespeare sounds good. I'm a big fan of those books that have original language literature on one side and a translation on the other; they've been very helpful to me in learning other languages. It sounds similar to that, and some words and phrases in Shakespeare that you don't know might not be in a standard dictionary.

Answer 4

I would read Titus Andronicus. This is a play that is not discussed nearly as much as his other plays. It is a truly gory tragedy that also has interesting history. And ... of course ... Hamlet.



I think the No Fear books are good for kids in school who are grappling a lot with the language and like that they help to NOT make reading Shakespeare torture.



Enjoy!

Answer 5

I personally love Richard III. The opening bit where Richard tells us what he is up to is brilliant, beginning with "now is the winter of our discontent," and telling us that he can outlie the liars and change colours like a chameleon, that he wants the crown, and "tut, were it further off I'd pluck it down."



The use of foreshadowing is fun, as well. Whenever someone swears an oath you have to pay attention. It is a great read, even though it is factually inaccurate.



There have been a few revisions and adjustments made in the Olivier film version, some based of those made by earlier English dramatists like Kean and Cibber, but it is a fine interpretation.

Answer 6

Mac Beth is my favorite because it is his leanest piece. All plot and fewer diversions for the groundlings. Two excellent soliloquies: Lady Mac Beth's "All the perfumes of Arabia cannot wash the blood from these sweet hands", and Mac Beth's "There would have been time tomorrow and tomorrow". There is also the prophecy of the "weir sisters" that leads to the marvelous denouement When he discovers that Banquo is not "of woman born" but Cesarean born, "plucked untimely from my mothers womb".



I know nothing of the "No Fear Shakespeare" books but the Idea sounds good as long as you still have the poetry of the original to savor.

Answer 7

My personal favourite:



Othello by William Shakespeare



(STUDY GUIDES.)



These links will give you a summary of the play, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions.



http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xOthello.html#Othello



http://www.bookrags.com/notes/oth/



http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/



http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/othello.asp



http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/othello/



Racism in othello



Racism is an issue in Othello, a story of black versus white, and deals with the idea of a black hero and a white nemesis.



Othello is a story of black and white. Perhaps black versus white would be more accurate. This battle takes place on two different levels. There is the battle of good versus evil. That always is seen as black versus white. Yet, this is also a personal battle, of a white man and a black man. Shakespeare’s twist of fate is that he has made the good represented by black, and evil represented by white. Whether it be simply irony, or an attempt on Shakespeare to make a political statement about race, you are constantly reminded of this one decision consistently throughout the story of Othello. More…..



http://sd.essortment.com/racisminothell_rmeq.htm

Answer 8

considered: Antony & Cleopatra, Hamlet, Henry V, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Love's Labours lost, Macbeth, degree for degree, The provider provider of Venice, A Midsummer nighttime's Dream, lots Ado approximately not something, Othello, Richard II, Richard III, Romeo & Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, Titus Andronicus, 12th nighttime. and remember West element tale, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are ineffective, Theatre of Blood, and so on examine: probably approximately 70% of them, plus the bloody sonnets.

Answer 9

Personally...I would read Much Ado About Nothing. And if you are not confient in your shakespearian english then don't try it. Its not a crime to read it in modern text, the point is the story not the spelling. Do what you are comfortable with!

Answer 10

Much Ado about nothing by Shakespeare funny book .

Answer 11

I read Twelve Night and school, found it very funny, you could try this for something different.

Answer 12

Macbeth, so much happens in it!