What?! Surely not Shakespeare for summer reading? Yes, yes indeed. The reason is this: Summer is the season of Shakespeare festivals and Shakespeare in the Park. If you plan on seeing Shakespeare this summer, I recommend reading the play first. Reading will give you a head start to understanding the story and language. Then, when you see the play performed, you’ll catch more of the humor. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the actors’ and directors’ choices that make the play come alive. 
Buying Shakespeare is cheap. Used bookstores are always well-stocked with his plays. And even if you can’t find a used copy, buying new isn’t expensive either.
It may surprise you how quickly you can read one of Shakespeare’s plays. They’re not that long; after all, they’re written to be performed within the span of a couple hours. Yes, the language sometimes requires explanation, but generally, the plays are well-footnoted. Footnotes help a lot.
Most of all, I recommend reading and watching Shakespeare because it’s great human drama. There’s a reason that Hamlet and Macbeth have been part of the collective consciousness for four centuries. They are such human characters, dealing with life and death. And, when it comes to the comedies, you’ll be amazed at how funny Shakespeare can be to this day, when performed by great actors.
Remember, reading AND watching is the best way to experience Shakespeare. To learn more about how you can see Shakespeare for free in Seattle during July and August, check out this post from last summer. Some of the details have changed, but the links will still take you to the places you need to go.
Posted by Elise 
