Reading the Bard in 2020

In what has now become a tradition of sorts—for me anyway—I have revised my daily plan for reading all of Shakespeare’s works in a year.  The 2020 plan makes one significant change from previous years: I have arranged the historical plays in the first five months of the year so that they can be read in the historical chronology of the kings of England from Edward III to Richard III, rather than in the order in which Shakespeare wrote the plays. For the first time since I created this plan for 2013, I am aware of another reading plan for Shakespeare in a year, this one posted online by Ian Doescher for the Folger Shakespeare Library. For the rather less disciplined among us (including me), my plan has the advantage of precise daily reading assignments to accomplish one’s progress. But whichever you choose, happy reading!

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Our Most Popular Articles of 2025

The Editors

It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…

Our Year in Film & Television—2025

Various

First Things editors and writers share the most memorable films and TV shows they watched this year.…

Religious Freedom Is the Soul of American Security

Christopher J. Motz

In the quiet sanctuary of West Point’s Old Cadet Chapel, a striking mural crowns the apse above…