How to Learn Shakespearean English
The canon of English literature and modern-day drama are rooted in Shakespeare. Without Shakespeare, tragedy and comedy would not be where they are today. Although going to a Shakespearean play may be a way to pass the time, the language of that era still sounds relatively foreign to us. By learning Shakespearean English, you will be able to understand text and material from that era more fully.
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Instructions
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Schedule or take a Shakespearean English class as an elective. Check with your school counselor or adviser to see if any classes are available. Choose a major in English or literature if you really want to learn and study Shakespearean English. If you are not already in school, check with your local community colleges and adult-education centers.
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Go to your local library and check out books written around that time. Study how the sentences are constructed and see how well you can decipher what the words mean. A book entitled "Shakespeare And The Language Of Translation Only: Shakespeare and Language Series" contains the works of Shakespeare as well as a modern-day translation.
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Become involved in a Shakespearean play, preferably with a speaking role. Even if you are not able to land a speaking part, being a part of the production crew will also give you experience around the language.
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Watch plays and performances of Shakespearean productions. The online video site No Sweat Shakespeare has a vast amount of videos and numerous texts.
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Tips & Warnings
Underline or highlight words that are unfamiliar to you while reading then go back and check what the definition is. A website created by a student at MIT, www.shakespeare-online.com, contains all of Shakespeare's complete works. This site has his works broken into categories based on comedy, history, drama and tragedy.
