I'm quite the opposite there, when I find a good book I read everything by that author and I love going back to them and just read parts that I love again. Which means I know some authors really well but haven't read others at all. I bought a lot of Shakespeare recently as I thought I had to read them when I live here in the UK. Will read them in Swedish though, too much of the pleasure would be lost if I had to worry about the language as well.
Romeo and Juliet
The storyline didn't exactly come as a surprise, but it was nice to get some background and there is obviously more to this play than boy-meets-girl-and-they-both-die. I found it rather difficult to read, however, seeing as 16th century blank verse is not the standard way of communicating anymore. Perhaps Jeff should implement that in the rules on here.
I was surprised - which was down to poor research - of the incredible number of more or less subtle sexual references. Though many of the puns were obviously lost in translation.
The Merchant of Venice
Easier to read than R&J, it's straightforward and easy to follow, and I love that in old books because it makes me feel intelligent. It's a very pleasant read, although, ofc ourse, Shakespeare's works were intended to be performed on stage rather than being read, but the story is nice enough and it's got a lovely ending as well (for romantics like myself).
I found the portrait of Shylock, the Jewish character, very compelling too as I live in an area with a very large Jewish contingent. Interesting to see in what ways people have tried to play down this seemingly anti-semitic portrait later on - but the character is quite complex in itself, actually, so it's not all about political correctness. "Hath not a Jew eyes" etc.
Doing Hamlet next, I think.
