How to Read Drama

actor reading a scriptIt is time to start the your exploration of drama, also known as theater or plays. As you study the genre of drama, you will discover a play written by one of the most revered writers of the English language, William Shakespeare. There is much to review and learn before launching yourself into the witty prose and poetry of Shakespeare. In this topic, you will learn how to read drama and, more specifically, how to read Shakespeare's blank verse. And, of course, you will learn a little about the time period in which The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is set.

Essential Questions

  • What are some strategies for reading dramatic works?
  • What kinds of plays did Shakespeare write, and how did he write them?