2.  Note any words that you do not understand and look them up.  Some may already be in the footnotes, but if one is not, open a dictionary. 

3.  Pay attention to what you are reading and take notes.  Do not skim over the passages because you will miss important details.  Summarize the text as you go along.  This will help you recall details later in your reading or in class.

4.  Read out loud.  Shakespeare wrote plays which were meant to be acted.  Some of the most interesting things about his work go unnoticed unless you hear his words.  It will also help you understand what is going on and retain the information better.

5.  Use your notes to make a timeline of the play's action.  This is useful in referring to the events after the fact to reduce repetitive reading.

6.  Recording your impressions during your reading will assist you after the fact in discussing the text in class or writing a paper about the play.

7.  If a particular passage bothers you and you simply cannot understand what is going on with it, make a notation about it and talk to your teacher.  They will help explain it to you and that clarity will assist in your overall understanding of the play.

8.  Sometimes it is useful to purchase a copy of the play written in modern language.  Most of Shakespeare's plays have been published in modern text and having this as a reference can be useful in understanding some of the language that Shakespeare uses, but it is no substitute for the actual text.

9.  After reading the text, viewing the play or movie can be an useful asset to your understanding, but, like modern text, it is not a substitute for the original text.  Many versions exist and they can differ from Shakespeare's initial intentions.

10.  Have fun with Shakespeare.  Shakespeare wrote primarily for entertainment and his works have been popular for several centuries because he was excellent at his job.  His works are very enjoyable if you view them as a story and not just work.