What's a good reading plan for Shakespeare? Are they any

Start with "Don't"

>>8663166
This

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>>8663188
>>8663166

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There are no real prerequisite, just get a good edition (Oxford, New Cambridge, Arden are the preferred choices).

As for reading order, there isn't such a thing. You can read them in "chronological" order, generically, or even thematically. You can start from whatever play you like. Of course, that's not to say that that is the best way to go about it.

I recommend you start with simple one, like Romeo and Juliet or Richard III, and then go for whatever. Perhaps doing a basic comedy would be good too, but most of them have rather complex plots (in comparison to the tragedies, for example), but I guess the early comedies would be a good choice.

I would also recommend reading a commentary on the play after reading it and thinking about it. Personally, I found Bloom's The Invention of the Human and Goddard's The Meaning of Shakespeare excellent reads, but you may also read Van Doren or Kermode.

Also, do watch a stage production/film adaptation. There are a lot of good ones on the internet (look for torrents of the Globe productions, or other famous adaptations like Pacino's . Merchant of Venice). Avoid RSC productions though, they are never as good as the Globe's.

I'd recommend watching a play or filmed version then reading the book. That way you get a sense of the story and then can dive more deeply into the text. You are likely going to miss a few things since you're not familiar with his themes so read some criticism but only afterwards.