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English Literature

Understanding Shakespeare

Eve Williams MMus

4.6

Based on 68 ratings

, see reviews

Eve Williams MMus

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.

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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

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by someone with a Masters in English

Suitable for beginners who wish to learn the basics of Shakespeare's work

Provides a comprehensive overview of Shakespeare's major works

Guided by thought provoking discussion questions after each lecture

In-depth analysis of Shakespeare's themes, language, and historical context

This course covers a wide range of Shakespeare's works, from tragedies to comedies to historical plays

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive exploration of shakespeare's works

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and engaging journey into Shakespeare's world, making the Bard's often-challenging language remarkably accessible. Students consistently praise the instructor's passion, expertise, and clear delivery, which transforms complex texts into understandable and enjoyable lessons. The course provides invaluable historical and literary context for a vast array of plays and poems, with particular highlights on detailed analyses of major works. While some advanced students found parts of the introductory material a bit slow, the course is largely celebrated as a solid foundation for beginners and a rich enhancement for enthusiasts.

Some lesser-known plays receive less in-depth analysis.

"For some of the lesser-known plays, the analysis felt a bit rushed compared to the major tragedies."

"The sheer number of plays covered means some get less focus, which is understandable but a slight drawback if you're looking for extreme depth on every single one."

Well-structured lectures with engaging discussion points and helpful resources.

"The lectures are well-structured, and the deep dives into the themes of each play were eye-opening."

"The discussion questions at the end of each video are a brilliant touch, encouraging active engagement."

"The resources section was quite helpful. I also joined the book club and found it a great way to deepen my understanding."

Covers a vast array of works with essential historical insight.

"A very thorough course on Shakespeare. The sheer volume of plays covered is impressive, and the instructor's knowledge is evident."

"The historical context provided for each play is invaluable."

"Excellent course that covers an enormous amount of material. It's a journey through the Bard's world."

Successfully clarifies complex Shakespearean language for all learners.

"I've always struggled with Shakespearean language, but the way he breaks it down makes it so much clearer."

"This course truly lives up to its promise. I finally 'get' Shakespeare! The explanations of the language are phenomenal."

"I've always been intimidated by Shakespeare, but this course demystified it completely."

The instructor's passion and expertise make learning enjoyable.

"The instructor's passion for Shakespeare is infectious, and he makes even the most complex plays accessible."

"The instructor's expertise shines through every lesson. From the sonnets to the tragedies, every module is a delight."

"Excellent course... The lectures are engaging and the instructor's knowledge is superb."

Pacing can vary; best for beginners or those seeking a refresher.

"I sometimes found the pace a bit slow, especially in the introductory sections. For someone already familiar... can feel repetitive."

"It's probably better suited for beginners or those needing a refresher."

"Some parts felt a bit academic, which is fine for me as an English student, but might be a lot for a casual learner."

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 English Literature: Understanding Shakespeare with these activities:

Review the language of Shakespeare

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Read and familiarize yourself with the unique vocabulary and sentence structure of Shakespeare's works to enhance comprehension.

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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

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Refresh understanding of recurring themes and motifs to enhance analysis and interpretation of Shakespeare's works.

Browse courses on Literary Analysis

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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

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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

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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'

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Gain comprehensive access to all of Shakespeare's works in a single volume, enabling thorough study and analysis.

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Acquire a copy of 'The Oxford Shakespeare: Complete Works'.
Read through the plays and poems at your own pace.

Complete Shakespearean sonnet comprehension exercises

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Improve comprehension and analytical skills through practice with Shakespearean sonnets.

Browse courses on Poetry Analysis

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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

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Build a comprehensive reference tool that aids understanding of Shakespeare's unique language and terminology.

Browse courses on Vocabulary Development

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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

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Analyze and interpret the motivations, flaws, and complexities of Shakespeare's characters to deepen understanding and appreciation.

Browse courses on Character Analysis

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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

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Enhance understanding of Shakespeare's works through expert analysis and critical perspectives.

Browse courses on Literary Analysis

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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

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Engage with peers to share insights, discuss interpretations, and deepen understanding of Shakespeare's works.

Browse courses on Collaborative Learning

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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

Learners who complete English Literature: Understanding Shakespeare will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in English Literature: Understanding Shakespeare.

The Norton Anthology of Poetry

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This massive anthology includes a wide range of poems from across the centuries, providing a comprehensive overview of the history and diversity of poetry.

English Literature

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Comprehensive exploration of shakespeare's works

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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