If you are a student, and are struggling with one of The Bard’s works, it is time to turn to William Shakespeare notes. There are several online websites that offer guidance in the form of notes on his plays, poems and sonnets. They offer the full text as well as the same in Modern English. This makes it easier to understand the words in a play or sonnet.
Why is Shakespeare Difficult to Understand?
The plays Shakespeare is most famous for were written between 1589 and 1613. This is considered as the period of Early Modern English, also known as Early New English. Shakespeare’s style of writing, and the words and phrases he coined have had a great impact on English in the form we speak it today. However, students often have difficulty understanding his works. This is where William Shakespeare notes play a key role in helping them understand and enjoy the writings of The Bard of Avon.
When one uses idioms such as ‘all that glitters is not gold’, or ‘clothes make the man’, or phrases and words like ‘devil incarnate’, ‘come what may’, we are using words that were first coined by Shakespeare. His influence on English literature is distinct, and quite undeniable. In fact, while most people associate the phrase ‘the game is afoot’ with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, they were first used by Shakespeare in ‘King Henry IV’.
Making Shakespeare Easier to Understand
When you are studying any of Shakespeare’s works, it is a good idea to take small steps. Each play is divided into Acts. And an Act may further be divided into scenes. Shakespeare hoped that readers would visualize the scenes as they would be performed on the stage. Initially, one may take a little time to understand the English used by Shakespeare but with the help of the notes things will get easier.
Notes for William Shakespeare’s works are offered by various study websites. Most offer a direct translation to Modern English so that the readers may gain a clear understanding. Next, some study circles may offer study guides too. These guides offer both, a brief overview of the plot, as well as an Act by Act descriptive commentary and summary. Finally, one can benefit from an Analysis of the entire play. There is also a description of the characters so that readers can keep track of the key players.
Learning for a Test
When preparing for a paper or a test, notes on a William Shakespeare play can make all the difference. After going through the notes, a detailed quiz can be attempted to identify any areas that require further study. Finally, one may also wish to learn to write a literary analysis and the notes can offer insight in this direction.