I finished my first year of Doctoral work, and I have some time this summer, when I’m not actively reading things for classes. Before I get distracted with the final Harry Potter, or the new Vachss book, I think some Shakespeare is in order. So, I started with the comedies. I don’t know why they have us read only the tragedies in High School- Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet and Macbeth. I enjoyed them then, but it’s now been 16 years since I’ve read an entire play. I got a copy of the unabridged complete works from my father, who had 2 sitting around the house, and started. Since April, I’ve read The 12th Night, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, and As You Like It. I’ve just started on All’s Well That Ends Well. I’ve found that the more you read, the easier they get. Additionally, I’ve found many familiar quotes, that I didn’t know the sources, so now I can quote Shakespeare more accurately. Finally, yes, they are comedies, but they’re not really very funny, except for the occasional insult. Those can be quite hilarious. I’m going to keep going on this though. Shakespeare is good to read just before bedtime.