This course focuses on five Shakespeare plays, covering a range of genres and periods of his writing. There is an emphasis on both page and stage (or film), and on enriching enjoyment and appreciation of Shakespeare`s work in the context of his own time and of ours.
Listen to Professor Emma Smith talking about the course.
Perhaps we revere Shakespeare more than we enjoy him. This course aims to redress that imbalance. We shall spend time getting to know a range of Shakespeare's plays in detail, supplementing this knowledge with information about their historical background, their theatrical history, and current critical debates. If you associate Shakespeare with the dull grind of school, prepare to think again! The course will inform and stimulate your personal response to plays whether you already know them or are encountering them for the first time. Discussing Shakespeare's work can lead off in so many different directions: into psychology, history, theatre, autobiography… so the course promises a wide-ranging, and enjoyable, intellectual experience.
For information on how the courses work, please click here.