After the success of my best selling English Literature and World Lterature courses, many students messaged me with questions about Shakespeare, a towering figure in world literaure. Maybe you love Shakespeare or maybe you have been forced to read his work to pass an exam or you just can't make headway with the language. Peace, gentle friend. This course is for you.
Read more
After the success of my best selling English Literature and World Lterature courses, many students messaged me with questions about Shakespeare, a towering figure in world literaure. Maybe you love Shakespeare or maybe you have been forced to read his work to pass an exam or you just can't make headway with the language. Peace, gentle friend. This course is for you.
After the success of my best selling English Literature and World Lterature courses, many students messaged me with questions about Shakespeare, a towering figure in world literaure. Maybe you love Shakespeare or maybe you have been forced to read his work to pass an exam or you just can't make headway with the language. Peace, gentle friend. This course is for you.
We will look at Shakespeare's life, language and the historical and literary context of his works. We will then look at his plays and poetry. For each text we will look at its sources, background and publication then a synopsis, an analysis of its themes and a commentary on key passages, then look at key productions you may be able to access. The videos end with a series of questions for you to reflect on your perceptions of the play/poem.
Texts Covered:
· Hamlet
· Othello
· King Lear
· Macbeth
· Romeo and Juliet
· Love’s Labour’s Lost
· Much Ado About Nothing
· Twelfth Night
· As You Like It
· A Midsummer Night’s Dream
· Pericles
· The Winter’s Tale
· Cymbeline
· The Tempest
· Julius Caesar
· Antony and Cleopatra
· Titus Andronicus
· Coriolanus
· Henry IV Parts I and II
· Henry V
· Richard III
· Henry VIII
· All’s Well That Ends Well
· Measure for Measure
· Troilus and Cressida
· The Sonnets
· Venus and Adonis
· The Rape of Lucrece
As a graduate of the prestigious Queen;s University of Belfast with both an Honours degree and Master's in English, and as the teacher of the best selling English Literature course on Udemy, I am delighted to be your guide through this adventure of treachery and intrigue, enchanted forests, the Roman forum, shipwrecks, mystical islands and the English court where we will meet kings, jesters, fairies, soldiers, star-cross'd lovers and a guy with a donkey's head.
Don't stop to ask 'to be, or not to be'. Enroll today with no risk due to Udemy's 30 day money back guarantee.
Prithee, join us anon and thou shalt know the Bard.
Here's a deal for you
UDEAFNULP2024
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Discover what made shakespeare one of the greatest writers in world literature
- Understand shakespeare's language
- Find out about the themes of his plays and poetry
- Engage with modern and historical criticism of shakespeare's work
- See shakespeare in his historical and literary contexts
- Enjoy some of the most beautiful literature ever written
- Quote shakespeare
- Use the set discussion questions and resources to formulate your own reponse to the texts
- Learn about shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, romances, historical playsl classical plays, problem plays and his long poems and sonnets
- Should you choose, you can engage with other students and the instructor at the monthly book club
- Excel at english literature tests and essays on shakespeare
- Discover great resources for studying the work of shakespeare
- Show more
- Show less
- Discover what made shakespeare one of the greatest writers in world literature
- Understand shakespeare's language
- Find out about the themes of his plays and poetry
- Engage with modern and historical criticism of shakespeare's work
- See shakespeare in his historical and literary contexts
- Enjoy some of the most beautiful literature ever written
- Quote shakespeare
- Use the set discussion questions and resources to formulate your own reponse to the texts
- Learn about shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, romances, historical playsl classical plays, problem plays and his long poems and sonnets
- Should you choose, you can engage with other students and the instructor at the monthly book club
- Excel at english literature tests and essays on shakespeare
- Discover great resources for studying the work of shakespeare
- Show more
- Show less
Syllabus
Introduction
About Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Life
Shakespeare's Life and Times in Context
Read more
Syllabus
Good to know
Save this course
Save
Activities
Review the language of Shakespeare
Show steps
Read and familiarize yourself with the unique vocabulary and sentence structure of Shakespeare's works to enhance comprehension.
Show steps
-
Read a selection of Shakespeare's sonnets.
-
Note down unfamiliar words and phrases.
-
Refer to a glossary or online resources for definitions and explanations.
Review key themes and motifs in Shakespeare's plays
Show steps
Refresh understanding of recurring themes and motifs to enhance analysis and interpretation of Shakespeare's works.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
-
Review course materials or online resources that summarize key themes and motifs.
-
Identify examples of these themes and motifs in specific plays.
-
Discuss the significance and impact of these themes and motifs in Shakespeare's works.
Review poetry analysis techniques
Show steps
Review various methods and approaches to analyzing and understanding poetry by reading up on them online and watching instructional videos.
Browse courses on
Poetry Analysis
Show steps
-
Identify existing knowledge gaps.
-
Determine which techniques will be useful in this course.
-
Explore textbooks, articles, and literary critique websites for information on poetry analysis.
-
Watch video tutorials on YouTube explaining analysis methods.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Read 'The Oxford Shakespeare: Complete Works'
Show steps
Gain comprehensive access to all of Shakespeare's works in a single volume, enabling thorough study and analysis.
Show steps
-
Acquire a copy of 'The Oxford Shakespeare: Complete Works'.
-
Read through the plays and poems at your own pace.
Complete Shakespearean sonnet comprehension exercises
Show steps
Improve comprehension and analytical skills through practice with Shakespearean sonnets.
Browse courses on
Poetry Analysis
Show steps
-
Find online or printed exercises that focus on Shakespearean sonnet analysis.
-
Read the sonnets provided and answer comprehension questions.
-
Discuss interpretations and literary devices used in the sonnets.
Compile a Shakespearean glossary
Show steps
Build a comprehensive reference tool that aids understanding of Shakespeare's unique language and terminology.
Browse courses on
Vocabulary Development
Show steps
-
Create a document or spreadsheet to organize your glossary.
-
Read through Shakespeare's works and identify unfamiliar words and phrases.
-
Research and record the definitions and explanations of these terms.
-
Categorize and organize the glossary entries.
Write a character analysis
Show steps
Analyze and interpret the motivations, flaws, and complexities of Shakespeare's characters to deepen understanding and appreciation.
Browse courses on
Character Analysis
Show steps
-
Choose a character from a Shakespearean play.
-
Identify key moments and quotes that reveal the character's traits.
-
Write an essay that discusses the character's development and significance.
Watch video lectures on Shakespearean criticism
Show steps
Enhance understanding of Shakespeare's works through expert analysis and critical perspectives.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
-
Search for online video lectures on Shakespearean criticism.
-
Select lectures that cover topics relevant to the course.
-
Take notes and engage with the material.
Participate in a Shakespeare study group
Show steps
Engage with peers to share insights, discuss interpretations, and deepen understanding of Shakespeare's works.
Browse courses on
Collaborative Learning
Show steps
-
Find or create a study group with fellow students.
-
Choose a play or poem to focus on.
-
Meet regularly to discuss themes, characters, and literary devices.
Review the language of Shakespeare
Show steps
Read and familiarize yourself with the unique vocabulary and sentence structure of Shakespeare's works to enhance comprehension.
Show steps
- Read a selection of Shakespeare's sonnets.
- Note down unfamiliar words and phrases.
- Refer to a glossary or online resources for definitions and explanations.
Review key themes and motifs in Shakespeare's plays
Show steps
Refresh understanding of recurring themes and motifs to enhance analysis and interpretation of Shakespeare's works.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
- Review course materials or online resources that summarize key themes and motifs.
- Identify examples of these themes and motifs in specific plays.
- Discuss the significance and impact of these themes and motifs in Shakespeare's works.
Review poetry analysis techniques
Show steps
Review various methods and approaches to analyzing and understanding poetry by reading up on them online and watching instructional videos.
Browse courses on
Poetry Analysis
Show steps
- Identify existing knowledge gaps.
- Determine which techniques will be useful in this course.
- Explore textbooks, articles, and literary critique websites for information on poetry analysis.
- Watch video tutorials on YouTube explaining analysis methods.
Read 'The Oxford Shakespeare: Complete Works'
Show steps
Gain comprehensive access to all of Shakespeare's works in a single volume, enabling thorough study and analysis.
Show steps
- Acquire a copy of 'The Oxford Shakespeare: Complete Works'.
- Read through the plays and poems at your own pace.
Complete Shakespearean sonnet comprehension exercises
Show steps
Improve comprehension and analytical skills through practice with Shakespearean sonnets.
Browse courses on
Poetry Analysis
Show steps
- Find online or printed exercises that focus on Shakespearean sonnet analysis.
- Read the sonnets provided and answer comprehension questions.
- Discuss interpretations and literary devices used in the sonnets.
Compile a Shakespearean glossary
Show steps
Build a comprehensive reference tool that aids understanding of Shakespeare's unique language and terminology.
Browse courses on
Vocabulary Development
Show steps
- Create a document or spreadsheet to organize your glossary.
- Read through Shakespeare's works and identify unfamiliar words and phrases.
- Research and record the definitions and explanations of these terms.
- Categorize and organize the glossary entries.
Write a character analysis
Show steps
Analyze and interpret the motivations, flaws, and complexities of Shakespeare's characters to deepen understanding and appreciation.
Browse courses on
Character Analysis
Show steps
- Choose a character from a Shakespearean play.
- Identify key moments and quotes that reveal the character's traits.
- Write an essay that discusses the character's development and significance.
Watch video lectures on Shakespearean criticism
Show steps
Enhance understanding of Shakespeare's works through expert analysis and critical perspectives.
Browse courses on
Literary Analysis
Show steps
- Search for online video lectures on Shakespearean criticism.
- Select lectures that cover topics relevant to the course.
- Take notes and engage with the material.
Participate in a Shakespeare study group
Show steps
Engage with peers to share insights, discuss interpretations, and deepen understanding of Shakespeare's works.
Browse courses on
Collaborative Learning
Show steps
- Find or create a study group with fellow students.
- Choose a play or poem to focus on.
- Meet regularly to discuss themes, characters, and literary devices.
Career center
Reading list
Share
Similar courses
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
