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One of the biggest problems with reading or watching
Shakespeare is dealing with his style. For some it is like a
foreign language. However, once you get to grips with a few ideas
it becomes a whole lot
easier.
Shakespeare didn't write his plays in a particular way to make
it difficult or to be clever. Like every writer, he writes so that
people can enjoy his stories. He created a particular style to
try to make his stories more enjoyable. This is the same as a lot
of modern day TV programmes and Films.
 For instance, Quentin Tarantino makes his films in a stylised
way. Some people don't like his films because they are not used
to his style: others call him a genius. The same is true of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare started to write at the back end of a revolution.
The revolution was not one of fighting, but one of thinking. The
revolution was The Renaissance (French for re-birth). For
the first time we started to have a better idea of the Human Condition.
Shakespeare used his writing to explore these ideas. He didn't
write about Janet and John from down the road, or a couple of gangs
who have a fight. He wrote about a love that is worth dying for
and some of the greatest battles in history.
He did all this with no special effects. With no change in location.
With no set to speak of. He developed his style, like all creative
people (painters, writers, builders), because he had to!
So what is Shakespeare's style? It can be broken down into three
basic sections; Structure, Language and Imagery. No fuss, no magic.
It's not rocket science. Once you understand these stylistic devices
you've cracked it.
 Language
Imagery
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