Many actors find Shakespeare (or any heightened classical text) intimidating. To truly understand the Bard in all his intricacies, it’s best to find a teacher who specializes in his work and study it closely. There are many rules of language, grammar, and character Shakespeare consistently employs, which I’ll expound upon below. He also breaks these rules all the time and when he does, it’s usually his way of telling you something about the character and situation.
Here are a few things to look for, as well as a few tricks to get you through in a pinch.
Poetry vs. Prose
The easiest way to differentiate between the two is to look at the physical structure of the lines as they’re printed on the page. In poetry, the line will not extend to the end of the page:
Good night, goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow,That I shall say good night till it be morrow. (Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene II)
In prose, the lines will continue to the end of the page and pick up immediately on the next line:
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.They have their exits and their entrances: And one man in his time plays many parts. (As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7)
Once you’ve
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