How should I approach an essay on one of Shakespeare's plays?

William Shakespeare is arguably the most studied author in Western literature, this can make writing an essay on him a daunting task. Before you approach the question, it is essential to remember that you do not need to make a revolutionary new argument to write a excellent essay. It is most important when approaching Shakespeare at GCSE that you write a in a well-developed, well informed manner and maintain a coherent argument throughout. Firstly, make sure that you read the play thoroughly and that you understand the language. Many versions will have explanations of key words and phrases at the back of the book to help you, this can be especially useful when trying to interpret humor. Once you understand the play and the characters you can begin to approach your essay using your usual essay structure. You should refer to passages from the play and make sure you properly explain these, discussing the effects of language, form and structure to strengthen your argument. A key part of approaching Shakespeare is understanding the context he was writing in as it was very different to today. Make sure you have some knowledge of the Elizabethan era and the things that influenced Shakespeare and use this in your paragraphs, you should relate the context to the passages you provide. Finally, make sure that your conclusion refers back to all the points you have made and pulls them together fluently. Ultimately, when you approach an essay question on Shakespeare you want to concentrate on understanding the play properly and then demonstrating your understanding through a coherent argument.