Shakespeare's Life and Work from edX

How do we read Shakespeare? Do his plays belong to the past, or the present? To a famed dramatic genius or to readers and audiences around the globe? What do his plays really mean?

Moving between the world in which Shakespeare lived and the present day, this course will introduce different kinds of literary analysis that you can use when reading Shakespeare. With short videos filmed on location in England and readings covering topics like Shakespeare's contemporaries and the politics of modern performance, you will learn a range of critical tools that you can use to unlock the meaning and relevance of Shakespeare’s plays.

Join us as we visit Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born in 1564; London, the lively city where he began as an actor; and the Globe Theater, where his first plays were performed. This journey through Shakespeare’s life will transport you to another era and will give you a new perspective on his timeless work.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The cultural significance of shakespeare's plays and their performance
How shakespeare’s work was considered in his own time and in the present, in his own country and around the world
Different approaches to textual interpretation

How to consider authorial intention, historical context, and present relevance
How to analyze shakespeare's plays on the page and in performance
Foundational knowledge on shakespeare that can be applied to his specific works

The cultural significance of shakespeare's plays and their performance
How shakespeare’s work was considered in his own time and in the present, in his own country and around the world
Different approaches to textual interpretation
How to consider authorial intention, historical context, and present relevance
How to analyze shakespeare's plays on the page and in performance
Foundational knowledge on shakespeare that can be applied to his specific works

Syllabus

Part 1: Biographical Interpretation

In this unit, we'll learn more about Shakespeare's life and think about the interpretive possibilities that open up when we read with the author in mind.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

Describe Shakespeare's childhood, education, and family life, determining how the facts of his life might have informed his playwriting.

Evaluate different viewpoints on the "author problem," which relates to how relevant the author and his/her intentions are to interpreting a text.

Generate an original interpretation of The Comedy of Errors that relates to Shakespeare's life and/or intentions.

Part 2: Historical Interpretation

In this unit, we’ll focus on historical interpretation by placing Shakespeare’s texts in their historical context.

Describe Shakespeare's unlikely entry to the theater world, as well as the facts of London, the Bankside, and the increasingly professionalized theater industry.

Assess the viewpoint that Shakespeare's plays are embedded in their time and so require historical analysis to unlock what they "mean".

Analyze a Shakespeare play or passage through knowledge of historical context.

Part 3: Presentist Interpretation

In this unit, we’ll cover presentist interpretation--what can we reveal about Shakespeare’s plays by placing them in a modern context?

Describe original performance practices, Shakespeare's death, and his legacy.

Analyze a Shakespearean scene in performance, contrasting different approaches.

Evaluate the viewpoint that Shakespeare's plays belong to the present, and that we should interpret/perform them as they are most "relevant" now.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers a range of critical tools for unlocking the meaning and relevance of Shakespeare's plays

Introduces different kinds of literary analysis that can be used when reading Shakespeare

Taught by Stephen Greenblatt, a renowned Shakespeare scholar

Offers a comprehensive study of Shakespeare's life and work

Provides ample resources, including videos and readings, for a deeper understanding of the subject matter

May require some prior knowledge of Shakespeare's works for optimal comprehension

Reviews summary

Shakespearean treasure trove

Learners say this Shakespeare's Life and Work is an excellent depiction of the untold stories of Shakespeare, leaving them yearning for more. It is considered an elixir of knowledge and learning, helping students unravel the mystery of the Great Master of English.

The course offers an engaging and captivating exploration of Shakespeare's life and work.

"excellent depiction of the untold n weird uncanny meticulous stories of who Shakespeare was"

"It is an elixir of knowledge n learning intricate vocab while unravelling the mystery of the Great Master of English"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Shakespeare's Life and Work with these activities:

Refresh Your Shakespearean Knowledge

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Review foundational knowledge on Shakespeare's life and works to establish a solid base for further learning.

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Read a brief biography of Shakespeare to familiarize yourself with his life and times.
Review a timeline of Shakespeare's plays to grasp the chronology of his work.
Familiarize yourself with the key historical events and social context of Shakespeare's era.

Organize Your Shakespeare Study Materials

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Establish a structured system for your notes, readings, and other materials to enhance retention and accessibility.

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Create a dedicated folder or workspace for all Shakespeare-related materials.
Organize your notes by topic, play, or character.
Keep a digital or physical notebook for annotations, questions, and insights.

Form a Study Group for Shakespeare

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Enhance your understanding through regular discussions and collaborative analysis with peers.

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Identify fellow students interested in forming a study group.
Set regular meeting times and decide on the topics to cover.
Take turns leading discussions, presenting interpretations, and sharing insights.

Four other activities

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Explore Shakespearean Literary Analysis Techniques

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Gain a deeper understanding of different approaches to literary analysis, enabling you to engage more critically with Shakespeare's plays.

Browse courses on Literary Analysis

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Identify resources for literary analysis, such as online tutorials or books.
Follow guided tutorials on specific literary analysis techniques, such as close reading, contextual analysis, and character analysis.
Practice applying these techniques to short Shakespearean passages or scenes.

Attend a Shakespeare Performance Workshop

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Gain practical insights into the performance of Shakespeare's plays through a hands-on workshop.

Browse courses on Stagecraft

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Research and identify relevant performance workshops in your area.
Attend a workshop led by experienced Shakespearean actors or directors.
Participate actively in exercises and discussions on characterization, movement, and vocal delivery.

Write a Blog Post on a Shakespearean Theme

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Solidify your understanding by articulating your thoughts and interpretations in a written format.

Browse courses on Content Creation

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Choose a specific Shakespearean play, character, or theme to focus on.
Conduct research and gather evidence to support your analysis.
Write a well-structured blog post that presents your insights and interpretations.

Read 'The Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare'

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Delve into a comprehensive analysis of Shakespeare's works and gain insights from leading scholars in the field.

View William Shakespeare on Amazon

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Read individual chapters or sections relevant to the topics covered in the course.
Take notes on key concepts, interpretations, and critical perspectives.
Refer back to the book throughout the course to supplement your understanding.

Career center

Learners who complete Shakespeare's Life and Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

University Professor

A University Professor teaches and conducts research in a specific academic field. You may teach at a University, at an undergraduate or graduate level. You are an expert in your field, and guide your students in learning the subject matter, and if applicable help them to develop their own research skills. This course will be very useful to you: it will provide you with a foundation of knowledge on Shakespeare that you can use as you teach your students the subject.

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English Teacher

An English Teacher educates high school students in English and literature. You likely have an English undergraduate degree, and if you wish to advance to higher grades you could pursue an English MA or PhD. This course on Shakespeare's work is a great choice for you; it will aid you in teaching your students about this revered English playwright and poet.

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Archivist

An Archivist preserves and manages historical records in a variety of settings. This course is quite relevant to this role, because it will teach you to analyze and interpret different kinds of texts. As an Archivist you will need to be able to read, understand, and organize many different kinds of documents in a variety of formats.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator conducts and manages activities relating to museum collections, including care and display. You will likely specialize in a particular area, such as art history, history, or science. This course may be useful to you, as it will teach you how to analyze, preserve, and manage historical artifacts.

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Librarian

A Librarian helps library patrons find and use library resources. You may work in a public library, a school library, or a special library. This course would be useful to you because it will teach you how to analyze, categorize, and understand different kinds of texts. This is a fundamental skill for any Librarian.

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High School English Teacher

A High School English Teacher educates high school students in English and literature. This course would be relevant to your work, as it will help you to learn more about Shakespeare's life and work and to better understand and teach his plays.

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English Professor

An English Professor teaches English literature and creative writing at the College level. You likely have at least an MA degree, and in most cases a PhD. This course would be useful to you, as it will help you to learn more about Shakespeare's life and work and to better understand and teach his plays.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates user manuals, assembly instructions, maintenance guides, and other materials that explain how to use or operate a product or service. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Communications Manager

A Communications Manager is responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies for an organization or campaign. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect designs and organizes websites and other information systems to make them easy to find and use. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and present information in a clear and concise way.

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Content Creator

A Content Creator generates content for websites, blogs, social media, and other platforms. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Editor

An Editor reviews, corrects, and revises written material for publication. You may work for a newspaper, magazine, book publisher, or other organization. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Copywriter

A Copywriter writes persuasive and informative copy for marketing and advertising campaigns. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Journalist

A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events for newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets. This course may be useful to you; it will teach you how to analyze, organize, and write about complex topics in a clear and concise way.

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Actor

An Actor performs in plays, movies, television shows, and other productions. This course would be relevant to your work, as it will help you to develop your skills in analyzing and interpreting Shakespearean texts.

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