With 38 plays (or 39, depending on what plays you count exactly) and well over 100 poems, it can be difficult to know where a good starting place is to explore the Bard’s work. I have not yet completed all of his work, so my thoughts on this may change by the end of the year, but I thought it could be helpful for me to write a little bit about where I think people new to Shakespeare should start. I’ll go over a few general things and then list a few plays that I would particularly recommend.
The first thing to keep in mind is obviously your own personal interests. If you hear a summary of one of the plays that sounds especially fascinating for whatever reason, then definitely go with that one!
Aside from that, however, I would generally recommend sticking with some of his more well-known plays. They are (for the most part) more popular for a reason. If you are new to Shakespeare, it is much more likely you would enjoy Much Ado About Nothing, for example, than Pericles.
My other major thing to consider when contemplating how to introduce yourself to Shakespeare is whether to watch or read his plays. There will be a post about this question coming up later this week, so for now I will just say that it really depends on your options. I think Shakespeare films can be an excellent choice. I would particularly suggest Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing and David Tennant’s Hamlet. I have a post on my favorite Shakespeare films, although I would not recommend all of them as an introduction to the Bard.
Now, I have chosen a few plays that I think are excellent introductions to the Bard’s oeuvre.
Seeing an excellent stage production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is, in my opinion, the perfect way into Shakespeare. It’s not as fun of a play to read, and I haven’t come across a film version that I like at all, but that would be my number one recommendation. Other than that, I highly recommend the following:
1) Much Ado About Nothing
2) Macbeth
3) Hamlet
4) As You Like It
5) Julius Caesar
6) Taming of the Shrew
If the thought of any of these still feels intimidating, you can try approaching a Shakespeare-inspired work first to dip your toe in the water. For example, Kiss Me, Kate, or a Shakespeare ballet (if you’re into that kind of thing). And of course there are adaptations like West Side Story or 10 Things I Hate About You.
If there’s one I’ve missed that you think is a good path into Shakespeare, let me know! Reblog and share your thoughts.
