{"id":2367,"date":"2017-02-02T20:51:17","date_gmt":"2017-02-02T20:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=2367"},"modified":"2019-04-18T19:03:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T19:03:00","slug":"6-steps-to-memorizing-shakespeare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/6-steps-to-memorizing-shakespeare\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Steps to Memorizing Shakespeare"},"content":{"rendered":"

6 Steps to Memorizing Shakespeare<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by Ashleigh Gardner<\/p>\n

February 2, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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Everyone has had issues memorizing Shakespeare at one time or another, so we’re here to help you through the process of branding the Bard’s words into your brain! (How’s that for alliteration?) Below is a 6-step process you can follow any time you find yourself seeking a solution to the ultimate challenge — memorizing Shakespearean verse.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Understand and appreciate what you\u2019re memorizing!<\/h4>\n
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Most of the time, Shakespeare seems difficult because the language he uses isn\u2019t the language you use today. That fact alone can hinder your memorization. First, make sure you <\/span>understand <\/span><\/i>the lines. Do this by paraphrasing the words Shakespeare wrote. Figure out how <\/span>you <\/span><\/i>would say \u201cGet thee to a nunnery!\u201d Me? I\u2019d say, \u201cGet lost! Hole yourself up in a convent!\u201d Second, <\/span>appreciate<\/span><\/i> the words you\u2019re saying. What is your character feeling that would make them say the words they\u2019re speaking? <\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Do your scansion exercises.<\/h4>\n
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\u201cScansion\u201d is a word you\u2019ll hear all the time when you\u2019re performing Shakespeare. It\u2019s a process of scanning a line of verse to understand its rhythm. Shakespeare\u2019s verse follows the rhythm of iambic pentameter. An \u201ciamb\u201d is a two-syllable \u201cfoot\u201d (group of syllables). \u201cPentameter\u201d means \u201cfive feet\u201d. Therefore, most of Shakespeare\u2019s lines are written with five iambs, or ten syllables (5 x 2 = 10). This helps you understand which words to stress above others. However, lines that are in prose are not scanned…because they aren\u2019t written in verse! (For a great example of scanned Shakespeare, go <\/span>here<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/span> to see how it works.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Understand Shakespeare’s punctuation.<\/h4>\n
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Like figuring out hidden codes? Shakespeare left clues for the actor in his punctuation! The short guide below will help you through periods, commas, colons, and semicolons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Period <\/b>\u2013 full stop with extra emphasis; the sentence and thought comes to a complete halt
\n<\/span>Comma <\/b>\u2013 indicates a shift in thought, but also a place to take a breath
\n<\/span>Colon <\/b>\u2013 an indication of a new thought arising; the character is taking a new direction with their intention
\n<\/span>Semicolon<\/b> \u2013 an indication that the next line will be an explanation of the thought that precedes the semicolon<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Write down the first letter of every word.<\/h4>\n
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A tool that often helps actors, even in shows that <\/span>aren\u2019t <\/span><\/i>Shakespearean, is writing down the first letter of every word of every line you have. For example, \u201cTo be, or not to be; that is the question\u201d would be T B, O N T B; T I T Q. (I suggest including punctuation to help with keeping your pauses consistent.)<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Memorize lines in chunks instead of running through the script.<\/h4>\n
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Trying to run through an entire script in full can be exhausting. Instead, memorize your lines scene by scene. And if the scene is enormous, cut your memorization blocks down to three lines at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Mark your blocking while you recite your lines.<\/h4>\n
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For a lot of actors, their lines are only truly memorized when they get on their feet and walk through the blocking. The act of putting movement with lines will help your brain associate action with words.<\/span><\/p>\n
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More Shakespeare? Yes, please!<\/h3>\n