Shakespeare Matters
Shakespeare’s work has influenced the way we think about our relationships and ourselves. His plays are still as relevant today as when they were written almost 400 years ago.
In this introductory course, you will learn how Shakespeare uses emotion in his plays, how his characters experience and manipulate emotions, and how the emotional resonance of the plays makes them powerfully relevant to the modern world.
As you follow and engage with the emotional journeys of characters in tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, and history; you will discover patterns of plot, action, and speech that will help you appreciate, understand, and discuss Shakespeare’s plays.
Each week of the course will focus on a different emotion. You’ll cover the range of emotions found in Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, The Winter’s Tale, and King Henry V.
This course includes interactive activities, and interviews with a range of people engaged creatively and professionally with Shakespeare’s plays. You’ll be encouraged to interpret Shakespeare in your own way - to find ‘your Shakespeare.’
You will learn how to read a Shakespeare play and gain the tools you need to interpret its language. You will also have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to direct scenes from the plays. And you’ll learn about the various kinds of Shakespearean drama, and the dramatic and poetic techniques Shakespeare uses to investigate the human condition.
What you'll learn
- Why Shakespeare still matters, all through a focus on emotions
- Ideas and techniques that will help you understand as well as enjoy Shakespeare’s plays
- How to understand and appreciate Shakespeare’s language and its power
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| Rating | 4.7★ based on 49 ratings |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 weeks |
| Effort | 5 weeks, 3–5 hours per week |
| Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
| Cost | $139 |
| From | University of Adelaide, AdelaideX via edX |
| Instructors | Dr. Lucy Potter, Dr. Joy McEntee, Galen Cuthbertson, Dr. Edward Palmer, Aidan Coleman, Mahendra Chitrarasu, Prasanna Nidumolu, Lucy Potter, Joy McEntee, Galen Cuthbertson, Edward Palmer, Aidan Coleman, Dr. Aidan Coleman |
| Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Humanities |
| Tags | Humanities Literature |
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What people are saying
recommend this course
I would recommend this course, as a refresher, as a building block, and as chance for Professional Development.
I have loved Shakespeare since High School in Scotland and I would thoroughly recommend this course whether you love or are just interested in Shakespeare.
I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to engage in analysis and discussion of the wonderful plays of Mr Shakespeare.
I'd recommend this course to anyone who would like to know more about how Shakespeare crafted his plays.
I highly recommend this course!
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easy to follow
It was so well constructed and easy to follow.
It was simple and easy to follow but also thought provoking.
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took the course
So I took the course Shakespeare Matters and it opened up another world before me altogether.
As an experienced English teacher I took the course out of interest and learned many new things that I was not previously aware of and was inspired to read texts I had not read before.
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really enjoyed
I really enjoyed this course.
I really enjoyed this course!
Really enjoyed the linguistic insights and discussions in the forums.
I really enjoyed the combination of videos, text analysis, interviews, discussions and assignments.
This was my first MOOC and I really enjoyed it!
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familiar with
I was familiar with Othello and Hamlet before I took this course but found it very engaging and enjoyable to learn about the other plays.
highly recommend
An engaging, informative presentation overall and a great overview to many of Shakespeare’s wonderful works...highly recommend the course.
thoroughly enjoyed
I thoroughly enjoyed Shakespeare Matters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course.
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insight into
Three of the plays were very familiar to me; one was totally unfamiliar, and another was one I expected to skip - sorry, I'm bored by the history plays - but it turned out to deliver a real insight into Henry V and the role of emotions.
I thought this course was interesting, well taught and helpful in interpreting Shakespeare’s works as well as gaining an insight into the cultural, political climate at that time.
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so much
I gained so much from this course.
I found I knew more than I thought I did but have gained so much from this course.
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new insights
An informative introduction for beginners, and many new insights for those familiar with Shakespeare and looking to deepen their appreciation.
It was suitable for first-time Shakespeare learners as well as providing new insights for those who have experienced the plays before.
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his works
I came to Shakespeare Matters ~ knowing very little about the man, the history or his works.
I came away with a love for William Shakespeare and a yearning to both continue my education about him, as well as a yearning to see his works live.
Although I am very familiar with Shakespeare, his works and times, I certainly learnt things new to me in the course, whether those things be simple facts or, and more interesting, new ways of looking at aspects of Shakespeare's work.
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other students
There was a great deal of interaction with both instructors and other students, which reinforced and enriched learning.
The opportunity to share experiences and interpretations with other students from different places and cultures was a valuable part of the course experience.
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| Rating | 4.7★ based on 49 ratings |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 weeks |
| Effort | 5 weeks, 3–5 hours per week |
| Starts | On Demand (Start anytime) |
| Cost | $139 |
| From | University of Adelaide, AdelaideX via edX |
| Instructors | Dr. Lucy Potter, Dr. Joy McEntee, Galen Cuthbertson, Dr. Edward Palmer, Aidan Coleman, Mahendra Chitrarasu, Prasanna Nidumolu, Lucy Potter, Joy McEntee, Galen Cuthbertson, Edward Palmer, Aidan Coleman, Dr. Aidan Coleman |
| Download Videos | On all desktop and mobile devices |
| Language | English |
| Subjects | Humanities |
| Tags | Humanities Literature |
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