Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them -W.Shakespeare Man I love Shakespeare’s writing
It’s Middle English. Although it’s hard to understand, it can still be understood. Old English requires a translation. Old English was more similar to Dutch than modern English is today.
Also, reading it aloud helps! If you get enough people (like in a classroom setting), and you have them read for certain roles, it makes a lot more sense. So does seeing it performed live
@@OxfordCommaEducationI read them in original with footnotes explaining them. Do you as a native speaker find it difficult to read? I mean the early modern English is not the current English we use, but it's similar in some way to it.
I read the original language with footnotes as well. I find that it takes me a couple scenes to get into it, but after a while, the original language isn't too difficult to follow. But, there are always a couple of words each scene that are so far removed from modern English, that I have to look them up.
@@OxfordCommaEducation when i was reading it, i clearly understood that it was written in a very easy way. And also native speakers will not find it difficult to read. But I'm a bengali myself. I understood 50% of the original text. And took help of the other 50% by modernised version. But i think it would be better if i read it only in modern text. Because reading the original version really hindered the pleasure of reading. I read hamlet and find it really difficult to get through are Macbeth, romeo & juliet, king Lear, henry 6 are harder than Hamlet?
@@jp-st8vn First off, I think reading Shakespeare is a huge accomplishment, especially in a second language. So you have my utmost respect and admiration. In terms of difficulty, Hamlet is one of the toughest. It is his longest play and it uses some very sophisticated language to navigate the plot. The only thing that makes it easier is that it is so well known to begin with. Out of the ones you mentioned, Macbeth is shortest and pretty straightforward. Romeo and Juliet is also much easier than Hamlet (I also have video series on my channel about Macbeth and R&J). Lear is a pretty challenging play, but very rewarding to read. I have never actually read Henry VI, so I can't speak much to that. One thing I would add to any Shakespeare reading is that if you can find a production to watch (in person is best but there are lots of great ones on RUclips) that will be the biggest help to any reader. Afterall these were written to be performed.
Bro but at least stop taking examinations on Shakespeare's book. I literally have to memorize the dialogues and their meanings. It's not like i want to do it. I have to do it if I want to pass my exams. Like it's a lot to go through. 😭😭
To compare understanding Shakespeare to playing Dark Souls is divine. I feel seen :)
my two worlds colliding as a gamer and an english major
Same!
Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them
-W.Shakespeare
Man I love Shakespeare’s writing
Its old English...the words and meaning..are beautiful...because its mysterious
It’s Middle English. Although it’s hard to understand, it can still be understood. Old English requires a translation. Old English was more similar to Dutch than modern English is today.
Shakespeare advice, David Tennant and Dark souls this video is the best thing ever and made for me
In a nutshell...we love anything..romantic..mysterious and unknown...which steers our imagination...
Also, reading it aloud helps! If you get enough people (like in a classroom setting), and you have them read for certain roles, it makes a lot more sense. So does seeing it performed live
Totally agree, nothing tops a good live performance.
Thank you for this, excellent video!
You're welcome! Thank you so much for watching!
This is underated
Thank you!
I have the platinum for Dark Souls, Elden Ring and Bloodborne so I feel more confident in reading Shakespeare lmao
Oh yeah, you're more than ready haha
Who reads it all the way through first and then re-reads for interpretation?
As a non-native English speaker, can i read his plays in modern English?
You sure can. There are many rewrites of his plays in modern English.
@@OxfordCommaEducationI read them in original with footnotes explaining them. Do you as a native speaker find it difficult to read? I mean the early modern English is not the current English we use, but it's similar in some way to it.
I read the original language with footnotes as well. I find that it takes me a couple scenes to get into it, but after a while, the original language isn't too difficult to follow. But, there are always a couple of words each scene that are so far removed from modern English, that I have to look them up.
@@OxfordCommaEducation when i was reading it, i clearly understood that it was written in a very easy way. And also native speakers will not find it difficult to read. But I'm a bengali myself. I understood 50% of the original text. And took help of the other 50% by modernised version. But i think it would be better if i read it only in modern text. Because reading the original version really hindered the pleasure of reading. I read hamlet and find it really difficult to get through are Macbeth, romeo & juliet, king Lear, henry 6 are harder than Hamlet?
@@jp-st8vn First off, I think reading Shakespeare is a huge accomplishment, especially in a second language. So you have my utmost respect and admiration.
In terms of difficulty, Hamlet is one of the toughest. It is his longest play and it uses some very sophisticated language to navigate the plot. The only thing that makes it easier is that it is so well known to begin with.
Out of the ones you mentioned, Macbeth is shortest and pretty straightforward. Romeo and Juliet is also much easier than Hamlet (I also have video series on my channel about Macbeth and R&J). Lear is a pretty challenging play, but very rewarding to read. I have never actually read Henry VI, so I can't speak much to that.
One thing I would add to any Shakespeare reading is that if you can find a production to watch (in person is best but there are lots of great ones on RUclips) that will be the biggest help to any reader. Afterall these were written to be performed.
ICSE and ISC people knows how devastating and hellish Shakespeare has made their life.
😊
Bro but at least stop taking examinations on Shakespeare's book. I literally have to memorize the dialogues and their meanings. It's not like i want to do it. I have to do it if I want to pass my exams. Like it's a lot to go through. 😭😭