Shakespeare’s language can create a strong pang of intimidation, even
fear, in a large number of modern-day readers. Fortunately, however,
this need not be the case. All that is needed to master the art of
reading Shakespeare is to practice the techniques of unraveling
uncommonly-structured sentences and to become familiar with the poetic
use of uncommon words. We must realize that during the 400-year span
between Shakespeare’s time and our own, both the way we live and speak
has changed. Although most of his vocabulary is in use today, some of it
is obsolete, and what may be most confusing is that some of his words
are used today, but with slightly different or totally different
meanings. On the stage, actors readily dissolve these language stumbling
blocks. They study Shakespeare’s dialogue and express it dramatically
in word and in action so that its meaning is graphically enacted. If the
reader studies Shakespeare’s lines as an actor does, looking up and
reflecting upon the meaning of unfamiliar words until real voice is
discovered, he or she will suddenly experience the excitement, the depth
and the sheer poetry of what these characters say.
