Ways to tackle Shakespeare?

[pi]

I'm studying 'Richard III' and am having a bit of trouble reading and staying focused on it. Its not my first attempt at Shakespeare, having previously read 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'A Midsummer's Night Dream'. The trouble I have is that I have to constantly refer to the notes on the bottom on the page (they usually take up more than half the page) and hence lose track of what I am reading, therefore limiting my understanding. I have tried just reading it without referring to notes, but I really only then get the gist of what is going on.

Does anyone have any tips or strategies to dealing with this?

[Menang]

If there's a movie, watch the movie first.
Or you could just read it casually (even if it's just getting the gist of it) first, and then re-read more carefully a second time.
Or download the audiobook.

[eeps]

I'm doing "Richard III" as well. I've done Shakespeare's "Othello" and "MacBeth" before, in Year 11 & Year 10. I would watch the movie if you don't understand what is going on, even if the movie is in Shakespeare's English; that way you'll get the basic plot of the play. It's easier to understand than reading the play, where you can't visualise/see what's going on. Alternatively, I read a summary of the play on SparkNotes and another study guide, since I didn't understand any of it at the beginning. That helped me a lot. Then, I read the specific details; quotes and all. It made more sense then. My copy of Richard III doesn't even have notes, hence, I used the internet to get a feel for the play, as well as watching the movie version of it.

[burbs]

It's actually a pretty enjoyable read because of Richard. Just ge last act 1 and it's much easier from there on.

Alternatively there is a thing called Manga Shakespeare that Ms Carol gives to kids who won't read, maybe start with that to understand what's going on.

[sheepgomoo]

I'm doing "Richard III" as well. I've done Shakespeare's "Othello" and "MacBeth" before, in Year 11 & Year 10. I would watch the movie if you don't understand what is going on, even if the movie is in Shakespeare's English; that way you'll get the basic plot of the play. It's easier to understand than reading the play, where you can't visualise/see what's going on. Alternatively, I read a summary of the play on SparkNotes and another study guide, since I didn't understand any of it at the beginning. That helped me a lot. Then, I read the specific details; quotes and all. It made more sense then. My copy of Richard III doesn't even have notes, hence, I used the internet to get a feel for the play, as well as watching the movie version of it.

Sparknotes has the full play in modern english, which is next to the original script, so maybe check that out

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/richardiii/

[pi]

Thanks!

lol, mange Shakespeare is pretty funny (I've read the Macbeth version). I'll try the movie and the sparknotes advice. Thanks again!

[EvangelionZeta]

I'm in agreement with people who say you should watch the film. I also recommend putting on subtitles - that way, you get to see the language and hear it at the same time, giving you a better shot at understanding it. 

Also, definitely read scene summaries.

[burbs]

I'm in agreement with people who say you should watch the film. I also recommend putting on subtitles - that way, you get to see the language and hear it at the same time, giving you a better shot at understanding it. 

Also, definitely read scene summaries.

This is the opposite to what you told me! :O

[EvangelionZeta]

I'm in agreement with people who say you should watch the film. I also recommend putting on subtitles - that way, you get to see the language and hear it at the same time, giving you a better shot at understanding it. 

Also, definitely read scene summaries.

This is the opposite to what you told me! :O

Only if you don't have a tutor telling you what everything means.  :p

[Jdog]

I read the short synopsis of what happens.

but personally i fel the langauge in Richard III is not particularly cryptic as opposed to something like hamlet.

[saaaaaam]

I'm doing "Richard III" as well. I've done Shakespeare's "Othello" and "MacBeth" before, in Year 11 & Year 10. I would watch the movie if you don't understand what is going on, even if the movie is in Shakespeare's English; that way you'll get the basic plot of the play. It's easier to understand than reading the play, where you can't visualise/see what's going on. Alternatively, I read a summary of the play on SparkNotes and another study guide, since I didn't understand any of it at the beginning. That helped me a lot. Then, I read the specific details; quotes and all. It made more sense then. My copy of Richard III doesn't even have notes, hence, I used the internet to get a feel for the play, as well as watching the movie version of it.

Sparknotes has the full play in modern english, which is next to the original script, so maybe check that out

http://nfs.sparknotes.com/richardiii/

Sparknotes is amazing. Definitely read through their translated version. It'll give you an understanding of the plot/what they're actually saying! Then if you need to analyse language you can go back and do that later.

[Tobias Funke]

I had about 50 pages left, 1 hour worth of a train trip and the determination to finish to book then and there, sure I ended up going to the city library to finish it, but still

[Streaker]

There's no need to 'tackle' Shakespeare at a VCE level.

The way I did it was to learn every detail of the plot (sparknotes helps with this) and then think about the themes and symbolism present in the play (once again, there are plenty of websites and study guides to assist you with this). Practice writing essays and make sure you include historical context (i.e. that it is a historical play and how it is a deliberately skewed representation of the end of the War of the Roses in a way that perpetuates the Tudor myth) as well as incorporate many relevant quotes about characters and their views on certain events (the many machinations of Richard, the oblivion of Hastings etc). I learned all of this information by reading other people's essays, and incorporated it into mine.

You don't necessarily need to be an expert or critic on Shakespeare and the play in order to do well. Know what is required at a VCE level and you will do well.