This document provides an overview of how to understand and interpret Shakespeare's plays based on their original language, punctuation, and performance conventions. It discusses key aspects like iambic pentameter, the meaning of punctuation marks, how lines were spoken without pausing in the middle, and how spelling and capitalization in the original texts can provide clues. The document also notes that Shakespeare often played with language and meanings, and his plays may contain unintended meanings not caught by modern editors.

1. Speaking, Reading and Enjoying Shakespeare An Elizabethan guide to acting, language, and punctuation