Othello: Applying New Learning?

After reading my book on how to read literature, I wanted to read a book that I could apply my new learning to a piece of literature. The book I read, How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster. While I was reading the book, he mentioned that many of the literature and pieces of writing today, refer to Shakespeare and the Bible. So, In order to be able to understand and identify the allusions and references made to Shakespeare's works, I would have to read some myself.

I desperately searched my house for a copy. I just so happened to find Othello on my bookshelf. Othello was one of the many Shakespearean works that Mr.Foster said was commonly referred to.

As I began to read, I quickly realized what a challenge it was to read Shakespeare's work. The language used is so difficult to understand. I barely understood the first page, even though the person who was commentating was kind enough to put in annotations of what certain words or phrases meant.

But there are some good signs. The things we learned in class from Romeo and Juliet have helped me a lot so far. One example of this is when the characters bite there thumbs. If I had not read Romeo and Juliet in class, I would never have understood the significance of this gesture. The way the gesture was almost simulacrum in both books.

I want to be able to eat, drink, consume a Shakespearean book so that I can be a better reader.  Although reading this book will be difficult to read, possibly boring even, I feel like, if I persevere, I will be better able to comprehend other works of literature.