Making Shakespeare intelligible

John McWhorter on the (alleged) incomprehensibility of Shakespeare. I don't pretend to understand all the language when I see it performed, either. But I find that I'm content at such moments to allow the mere sound of the words carry me away. It's okay not to understand all of it. Also, I would not recommend, as McWhorter does, reading the play before seeing it; I would recommend reading about the play before seeing it. Particularly, look it up in Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare beforehand.