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Mahendra Chitrarasu,
Prasanna Nidumolu,
Lucy Potter,
Joy McEntee,
Galen Cuthbertson,
Edward Palmer,
and
Dr. Aidan Coleman
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ylnwbl/shakespeare
What's inside
Learning objectives
- 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
- 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
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Exposes foundational elements for those learning English literature in higher education
Features a wide range of materials including videos, readings, and discussions
Explores how emotion plays a crucial role in Shakespeare's works
Teaches techniques for understanding and interpreting Shakespeare's language
Provides opportunities to practice directing scenes from Shakespeare's plays
Offers a comprehensive overview of different types of Shakespearean drama
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Reviews summary
Shakespeare through the lens of emotion
According to learners, Shakespeare Matters offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the Bard's work by focusing intensely on emotion. Students new to Shakespeare found it an accessible and excellent introduction, providing tools to understand his language and relevance today. While the selection of plays is limited, focusing only on a few key works, the approach is seen as highly effective for making the plays relevant. Many praised the quality of the lectures and supplementary materials, including interviews and interactive elements.
Lectures and materials are engaging.
"The lectures were captivating and the instructors clearly passionate about the subject."
"I particularly enjoyed the interviews with professionals working with Shakespeare today; it added a great dimension."
"The interactive activities helped solidify my understanding in a fun way."
"Everything from the videos to the readings felt well-produced and thought-provoking."
Great for those new to Shakespeare.
"As someone intimidated by Shakespeare, this course made his works feel approachable and understandable."
"It's a perfect starting point if you've never read Shakespeare before but want to."
"The way concepts were explained helped me feel much more confident tackling the texts myself."
"I finally feel like I have the tools to read and enjoy Shakespeare on my own."
Explores Shakespeare through emotion.
"Studying plays through emotion was a revelatory way to understand Shakespeare's lasting impact..."
"I appreciated the unique approach focusing on how emotions shape characters and plot."
"This course gave me a completely new perspective on plays I thought I knew well."
"Looking at the plays just through the lens of emotion really makes them feel modern."
Only covers a few plays in depth.
"While the focus on the chosen plays was deep, I did wish we could have touched on a wider variety of Shakespeare's works."
"Covering only five plays felt a bit restrictive, though necessary for the depth provided."
"Great analysis of the chosen plays, but it's definitely not a comprehensive survey course."
"Don't expect to get an overview of *all* of Shakespeare; this is specific."
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 Matters with these
activities:
Volunteer at a local theater group to assist with a production of a Shakespeare play.
Show steps
Gain practical experience with Shakespeare's plays while supporting your community.
Show steps
-
Contact local theater groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
-
Attend an audition or interview to secure a volunteer position.
-
Assist with tasks such as ushering, set construction, or costume design.
-
Observe the rehearsals and performances of the play.
-
Reflect on your experience and how it has deepened your understanding of Shakespeare's plays.
Write a Shakespearean sonnet
Show steps
Practice writing in the style of Shakespeare and explore themes of love, loss, and beauty.
Show steps
-
Research the structure and rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet.
-
Brainstorm a topic for your sonnet.
-
Write a rough draft of your sonnet.
-
Revise and edit your sonnet.
-
Share your sonnet with a friend or family member for feedback.
Show all two activities
Volunteer at a local theater group to assist with a production of a Shakespeare play.
Show steps
Gain practical experience with Shakespeare's plays while supporting your community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Contact local theater groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
- Attend an audition or interview to secure a volunteer position.
- Assist with tasks such as ushering, set construction, or costume design.
- Observe the rehearsals and performances of the play.
- Reflect on your experience and how it has deepened your understanding of Shakespeare's plays.
Write a Shakespearean sonnet
Show steps
Practice writing in the style of Shakespeare and explore themes of love, loss, and beauty.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the structure and rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet.
- Brainstorm a topic for your sonnet.
- Write a rough draft of your sonnet.
- Revise and edit your sonnet.
- Share your sonnet with a friend or family member for feedback.
Show all two activities
Career center
Learners who complete Shakespeare Matters will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Actor
Actor
Actors bring Shakespeare's characters to life on stage and screen. This course provides a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language, emotions, and dramatic techniques, which are essential for actors to effectively portray his characters. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, actors can gain insights into the motivations and complexities of the characters they play.
Director
Director
Directors are responsible for interpreting and staging Shakespeare's plays for the stage or screen. This course provides directors with the tools they need to understand Shakespeare's language, analyze his plays, and develop their own unique interpretations. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, directors can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create successful and engaging productions.
Playwright
Playwright
Playwrights write plays for the stage or screen. This course provides playwrights with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's dramatic techniques, character development, and use of language. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, playwrights can gain the skills they need to write their own successful and engaging plays.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers introduce students to Shakespeare's plays and help them understand and appreciate his work. This course provides teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to teach Shakespeare effectively. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, teachers can gain the confidence and expertise to engage their students in the study of Shakespeare.
Literary Agent
Literary Agent
Literary agents represent authors and help them to get their work published. This course provides literary agents with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's work and its significance in the literary world. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, literary agents can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to represent authors who write about Shakespeare or are influenced by his work.
Librarian
Librarian
Librarians help people find and access information about Shakespeare and his work. This course provides librarians with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their cultural significance. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, librarians can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to assist patrons with their research on Shakespeare.
Professor
Professor
Professors teach and research Shakespeare's work at universities and colleges. This course provides professors with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their critical reception. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, professors can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to teach and write about Shakespeare at a high level.
Critic
Critic
Critics write reviews and essays about Shakespeare's work. This course provides critics with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their critical reception. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, critics can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to write insightful and informed reviews and essays about Shakespeare.
Editor
Editor
Editors prepare Shakespeare's plays for publication. This course provides editors with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language and his editorial history. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, editors can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare Shakespeare's plays for publication in a variety of formats.
Performer
Performer
Performers bring Shakespeare's plays to life on stage and screen. This course provides performers with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language, emotions, and dramatic techniques. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, performers can gain the skills necessary to effectively portray Shakespeare's characters.
Researcher
Researcher
Researchers study Shakespeare's work and its impact on literature and culture. This course provides researchers with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their critical reception. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, researchers can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct original research on Shakespeare.
Writer
Writer
Writers use Shakespeare's work as inspiration for their own writing. This course provides writers with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language, characters, and themes. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, writers can gain the skills necessary to write their own successful and engaging works.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists write about Shakespeare's work and its impact on culture. This course provides journalists with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their critical reception. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, journalists can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to write insightful and informed articles about Shakespeare.
Educator
Educator
Educators teach Shakespeare's work to students of all ages. This course provides educators with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language, plays, and themes. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, educators can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to teach Shakespeare effectively.
Student
Student
Students study Shakespeare's work as part of their education. This course provides students with a deep understanding of Shakespeare's language, plays, and themes. By studying Shakespeare's plays in this course, students can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their studies.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ylnwbl/shakespeare
Featured in The Course Notes
This course is mentioned in our blog,
The Course Notes. Read
one article that features
Shakespeare Matters:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
Reading list
We've selected 16 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
Shakespeare Matters.
Save
This comprehensive handbook offers a wide range of essays by leading Shakespeare scholars, covering various aspects of his work, including his plays, poetry, and cultural impact. It provides a valuable resource for深入的研究 and understanding.
Save
Delves into the life and works of Shakespeare, exploring how he revolutionized the concept of human nature through his plays. It provides a comprehensive understanding of Shakespeare's contributions to literature and the human experience.
Save
This comprehensive anthology includes a wide selection of Shakespeare's plays, poems, and sonnets. It provides a convenient and valuable resource for referencing and studying his works in one volume.
Comprehensive resource for Shakespeare's works, offering students access to multiple plays and sonnets.
Comprehensive resource on Shakespeare's works, offering students access to multiple essays on various aspects of his work.
Focuses on Shakespeare's comedies, providing a comprehensive analysis of their themes, characters, and dramatic techniques. It enhances comprehension and appreciation of the complexities and impact of Shakespeare's comedic plays.
Offers a thorough introduction to Shakespeare's language, analyzing its unique features and complexities. It provides valuable insights into the linguistic aspects of Shakespeare's plays, enhancing comprehension and appreciation.
Specifically focuses on Shakespeare's tragedies, providing a detailed analysis of their themes, characters, and dramatic techniques. It enhances comprehension and appreciation of the complexities and impact of Shakespeare's tragic plays.
Provides background knowledge on Shakespeare's comedies, making it a valuable resource for students taking the course.
Save
Provides biographical information on Shakespeare, offering students a deeper understanding of the context in which he wrote.
Offers a contemporary perspective on Shakespeare's works, making it a valuable resource for students taking the course.
Offers insights into the relationship between Shakespeare and the actors who performed his plays, making it a valuable resource for students taking the course.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the historical and cultural context in which Shakespeare lived and worked. It explores the social, political, and intellectual influences that shaped his plays and helps contextualize their themes and characters.
Provides background knowledge on Shakespeare's histories, making it a valuable resource for students taking the course.
Provides background knowledge on Shakespeare's tragedies, making it a valuable resource for students taking the course.
Provides historical context on Shakespeare's work, offering students a deeper understanding of the time period in which he wrote.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ylnwbl/shakespeare
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Rating
4.8
Effort
3 to 5 hours per week for 5 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
University of Adelaide
Instructors
Mahendra Chitrarasu
Prasanna Nidumolu
Lucy Potter
Joy McEntee
Galen Cuthbertson
Edward Palmer
Dr. Aidan Coleman
Language
English
Transcript
English
Featured in The Course Notes
Read
one article that features
this course,
Shakespeare Matters
from our blog, The Course Notes:
To read more articles from OpenCourser, visit:
OpenCourser.com/notes
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