At the moment, I am tackling Shakespeare: all of him. I have gotten a brand-new Complete Works for this particular purpose. This new edition, put out by the Royal Shakespeare Company, is far thicker and heavier than my very old and dusty one from college, even though it is printed on what my son calls “Bible paper.”
I have read at least half of the plays already, back in college. That was a long time ago, longer than I want to admit. The memories of the plays are extremely faded.
My main purpose in this reading is to wean myself off of the canned convenient culture that we live in now. I have come to rely on the quick slogan, the news clip, the punch line, the condensed and busy version of reality that I have gotten from this fast television and Internet culture that I live in the midst of.
I want the great words to roll through my head. I want the words that are going to last.
Sure I know what happens at the end of Hamlet. However, the re-reading of that play is not made unappealing by that. I want to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
My recommendation — read them aloud if possible. With other people if possible. And see them on stage, as many as possible. As many times as possible.
They are wonderful to read. But they are really meant to be heard and seen.