Read the Play…Take the Test

So, what rhymes with awesome? SparkNotes! Not really… but it should. A completely free internet study guide on each and every Shakespeare play, these things has been very useful. I have referred to them, at some point and to some degree, for every play I have read so far, and I plan on using them throughout this project.  For the lesser known plays, the SparkNotes are simpler, containing act by act analysis and summary, as well as some background information. For the more well-known plays, they contain the above as well as all sorts of extras, like in-depth character analysis and, my favorite by far, an online quiz, which is so fun to try and ace (which, in a testament to the craftiness of these things, I haven’t done yet, but have gotten very close…and vow to do so before the end). Don’t get me wrong, some of the analysis can be pedestrian, overly generic, and obvious (it seems like these are dumbed-down at times to perhaps cater to first-timer, not-so-committed, high school/college types?), but who cares! For a free resource, I’m not complaining. Check ‘em out.