When I was in junior high I bought a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets and fell in love with the language. Like most people I had the requisite exposure to R&J and Julius Caesar in high school, but have always wanted to read his complete works because no matter what one’s opinion of his work, he is the most influential writer in the English language, also, I have this theory that if he were alive today he would be a screenwriter, he was a borrower and adaptor after all…This is what I have read so far, but will probably re read most on the list.
A Mid Summer Night’s Dream
Othello
Julius Caesar
Taming of the Shrew
Romeo and Juliet
Love Labour’s Lost
The Tempest
MacBeth
(parts of) Hamlet
many of the sonnets but can’t recall numbers from memory
I finally picked up a copy of the complete works and keep it by my bed. I find that it’s easiest to read before I go to sleep, when I can no longer “translate” I turn off the light and go to sleep. I also keep a little pack of sentence post-its by my bed so I can mark lines I want to remember.
I do understand the sentiments expressed regarding seeing the plays, but there is something beautiful about the written language, it’s nice rolling the words around in one’s own mind; iambic pentameter and the use of prose vs poetry for commoners vs nobles, I think it is very satisfying to read.
