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BadolatoJess t1_j28h0pb wrote

I'd say watch one performed first, where the actors do the heavy lifting in conveying the key elements of it - plot, emotion, humour, theme and aesthetic quality of the language etc. Acted well, you can understand entirely what is happening without actually understanding a single word. Then with the general feeling and idea of the play embedded in your mind, revisit the text in more detail on your own to engage with the cleverness and beauty of individual passages, without needing to 'understand' the language in its functional dramatic sense.

School absolutely destroyed Shakespeare for me and I thought it overrated drivel until I saw some performances in my late 20s and suddenly saw the immense value it holds.

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challenjd t1_j28lgam wrote

I usually read them and watch them around the same time. Personally I prefer to read first, then watch, but maybe an act at a time. YouTube has productions of many of the plays up, but the actors and production value is often high-school level. Unfortunately there aren't many chances to see these with good actors unless you just happen to be in the right city in the right month, then you'll get to see Hamlet or Macbeth. You will not see Twelfth Night or Winters tale this way.

If reading, finding a copy with notes will be very helpful. I am a fan of the Folgers Library ones. Every page of Shakespeare is mirrored with a page of notes, which is insanely helpful

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Lrack9927 t1_j28ylal wrote

The newest movie version of Macbeth with Denzel Washington was fantastic. Very much maintained the feel of a play but with the production quality and cinematography of a film. Denzel is amazing to watch.

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Humming_Squirrel t1_j28lv41 wrote

Absolutely agree. On a similar note, if you haven’t ever read a play for pleasure before, try getting used to reading this kind of text by reading something a little more contemporary first. I started with Tennessee Williams and Neil Simon before moving on to Shakespeare.

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pino_entre_palmeras t1_j293tog wrote

Even searching on YouTube, some community theater somewhere will go a long way.

Patrick Stewart reading the sonnets is pretty great.

Also highly recommend the Norton Shakespeare anthology, so many good footnotes and context before hand.

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lilydlux t1_j2a37uu wrote

This. I had a wonderful English prof in college and took several of their Shakespeare classes (as a STEM major). He stressed that plays were meant to be performed and watched vs. just read. Watch and read. Cool goal!

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