How should I prepare for answering close reading questions on passages from Shakespeare?

While the more archaic language of quotations from Shakespeare may seem intimidating, there’s no need to panic. As with all close reading questions, it’s important to begin your approach to the passage by making a few quick notes to ensure that you know what’s going on in the passage as a whole, and in the specific sections which you’re being asked to comment upon.
The best way to become more comfortable with Shakespearean language is a two-pronged attack: (a) expose yourself to the language as much as possible- keep reading and re-reading any Shakespeare plays you’re studying. Make use of the glossary in your copy to familiarise yourself with common language. And (b)- get used to reading Shakespearean verse aloud. It makes understanding the verse a lot easier when you can try out different intonations and explore how these affect and change the meaning and emotional effects of the words. Watching clips or full films or productions of adaptions of Shakespearean plays is a good way to get used to hearing and understanding Shakespearean language if you’re a bit hesitant about trying it out yourself.