Shakespeare: How To Read His Works

Dr Marco Liviero


Shakespeare: How To Read His Works

21 recorded classes

Course workbook

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Course Introduction - It All Begins With a Book

Lesson 1

Course Introduction - It All Begins With a Book

“When we read Shakespeare we read ourselves.” Marco describes how he fell in love with Shakespeare and what Shakespeare can teach us about ourselves.

Comedies: Introduction

Lesson 2

Comedies: Introduction

We look at comedy as a genre, its classical structure and how Shakespeare alters that structure.

Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream - The Dangerous Illusion of Love

Lesson 3

Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream - The Dangerous Illusion of Love

We delve into the role of magic and the supernatural in comedy and consider the dangerous illusion of love.

Comedies: Twelfth Night - Love Seriously

Lesson 4

Comedies: Twelfth Night - Love Seriously

The many types of love and how they don't fit naturally into comedy, but do illustrate life and humanity.

Comedies: The Tempest - The Sense of an Ending

Lesson 5

Comedies: The Tempest - The Sense of an Ending

''As you from crimes would pardon'd be, Let your indulgence set me free.''

Tragedies: Introduction

Lesson 6

Tragedies: Introduction

Marco considers how tragedies are defined and how Shakespeare challenges expectations in his tragedies.

Tragedies: Hamlet - The Everyman

Lesson 7

Tragedies: Hamlet - The Everyman

Why Hamlet's tale is universal and reflects our own confusion at the nature of our existence.

Tragedies: King Lear - An Old Man's Tale

Lesson 8

Tragedies: King Lear - An Old Man's Tale

We look at how Lear's story tells us the truth, simply and mercilessly, about the confusing nature of human existence.

Tragedies: Macbeth - A Tragedy of Love

Lesson 9

Tragedies: Macbeth - A Tragedy of Love

We explore the nature of desire and temptation and consider whether this is Shakespeare's most nihilistic tragedy.

Histories: Introduction

Lesson 10

Histories: Introduction

Marco considers how Shakespeare deals with truth, power and why we need a crown as well as how we should judge the past.

Histories: Henry V - Harry the Man; Henry the King

Lesson 11

Histories: Henry V - Harry the Man; Henry the King

Why Henry V goes beyond idealistic propaganda and how history can be manipulated. We consider the nature of power.

Histories: Richard III - Falling in Love with Evil

Lesson 12

Histories: Richard III - Falling in Love with Evil

Marco considers how evil can be seductive and how Richard III and Henry V are more similar than they appear.

Sonnets: Introduction - To Hear With Eyes

Lesson 13

Sonnets: Introduction - To Hear With Eyes

We consider the form of the sonnet and how Shakespeare makes the form his own.

Sonnets: Romeo & Juliet's Sonnet of Love

Lesson 14

Sonnets: Romeo & Juliet's Sonnet of Love

Why this is the perfect love sonnet where two voices merge in complete harmony in a world of conflict.

Sonnets: Sonnet II

Lesson 15

Sonnets: Sonnet II

''This were to be new made when thou art old, And see thy blood warm when thou feel'st it cold.''

Sonnets: Sonnet XX

Lesson 16

Sonnets: Sonnet XX

''But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure.''

Sonnets: Sonnet XXIII

Lesson 17

Sonnets: Sonnet XXIII

''O, learn to read what silent love hath writ: To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.''

Sonnets: Sonnet XXIX

Lesson 18

Sonnets: Sonnet XXIX

''For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.''

Sonnets: Sonnet CXXX

Lesson 19

Sonnets: Sonnet CXXX

''And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.''

Sonnets: Talking in Bed

Lesson 20

Sonnets: Talking in Bed

We look at Philip Larkin's sonnet 'Talking in Bed' and consider how it compares with Shakespeare's sonnets.

Course Conclusion

Lesson 21

Course Conclusion

''If all the world’s a stage, Shakespeare’s voices become our own.''

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