One of the best ways to get used to Shakespeare's language is to watch
popular movies set in the 1500s. You could start with Ever After
featuring Drew Barrymore. It's an interesting variation of the Cinderella story.
The dialogue isn't quite Shakespearean, but it's a good first step towards
understanding formal speech from the past.
Most people enjoy Shakespeare in Love, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and
Joseph Fiennes. It's a charming story that introduces many elements from
Shakespeare's classic tales. By the end of the movie, you should be ready to
decipher most Shakespeare plays.
Or, for a darker historical view and as a backdrop for Shakespeare's plays,
try Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes. In addition to the
16th century dialogue, this movie shows you how difficult life was then.
If you have difficulty understanding any of these plays, especially
Elizabeth, watch the movie with the subtitles or closed
captions on. Use the text to double-check what the actors are saying and
you'll understand 16th century English sooner.