Memorizing Shakespeare

[TheatreDiva612]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 4:48pm

Do any of you have any tips for memorizing a Shakespeare monologue? I'm usually really good at memorizing things but for some reason, it's not sticking... Do you find that memorizing Shakespeare is a lot more difficult? Any tips would be helpful!

(The monologue is from Henry IV, Act. 2 Scene 3- Lady Percy- "O my good lord")

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:10pm

I find that if it's a long piece, it's easier to memorize by breaking it into sections. Also, writing it down on paper helps, too. When I was practicing Katharina's monologue from The Taming of the Shrew I found it useful to write on sheets of paper, over and over, until it was fully lodged in my memory.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:46pm

Shakespeare makes my face hurt......and hello Diva, LTNS!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:55pm

I agree that breaking it into chunks is a good idea. then you just have to drill drill drill.

I would highly advice using the Shakespeare lexicon, which is a dictionary that tells you what the words meant in his day, often with the specificity of the use in that line.

go through every word in the speech--even the words you think you know. it's surprising how the lexicon can help you see a deeper or dazzling new angle on the lines.

and knowing exactly what you are saying could make memorization much easier. you may not be guilty of this, but too many actors pretend to understand the meanings of the lines or just say the words, having no clue what they are saying--just trying to sound 'Shakepearely'. it's so much easier and more fun when one does know what it all means. :)

[pab]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 7:56pm

I find that the problem that most actors have about memorizing Shakespeare is that they don't have a clue what it is they are talking about and end up just repeating words. So, understanding what you are saying would be the first big step.

Updated On: 12/15/07 at 07:56 PM

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/15/07 at 8:12pm

Yes! I forgot to mention that, but definitely agreed. Understanding the material as far as vocabularly goes aides greatly when you're reading through the piece. It helps also once you're performing as you are clearly communicating the character's intent to the audience.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 12:21am

I agree with the poster that said breaking it into chunks helps. Also, to help myself understand a monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream(I think it was Helena, who knows anymore), I found it helpful to write it in modern terms to help myself put everything in an order that was easier to remember. It really helped.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 12:49am

I agree with what everyone else is saying. I always start with the first line, then say the first and second line, then the first second and third, etc so I don't move on until I know the beginning solidly. This takes more time but helps assure that you know it . Sometimes accentuating the iambic pentameter when learning it can help too...kinda like a rap.

Updated On: 12/18/07 at 12:49 AM

[dramaparoxysm23]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 5:22am

I like to write it out sentence by sentence, because the way it's written makes it all too tempting to read it line by line like a poem. Other than that, I'll record it and put it on my iPod on repeat.

[EmieMarie]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 7:01am

does anyone else here think that it is easier to memorize shakespeare monologues than modern speech? Or is it just me...

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 12/16/07 at 1:29pm

Like people said before me make sure you know the meaning of every single word.