Should I study a Shakespeare play before reading it the first time?

I,,'d never study a film before watching it, but I read Titus and Coriolanus without a background and by the time I finished them I didn't remember what had happened. but when I,'Ve studied the themes, characters etc beforehand I can immediately recognise what is happening and thereby enjoy the beautiful language and story better.

Also, does anyone actually read the plays without footnotes? The language is impossible to decipher much of the time.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Should I study a Shakespeare play before reading it the first time?