Shakespeare: How To Read His Works
Dr Marco Liviero
21 recorded classes
Course workbook
One-off payment for lifetime access
What's included?
One-off payment for lifetime access to:
- Recorded classes: The 21 video classes (3 hours in total) in our course are led by Dr Marco Liviero PhD. Marco holds a PhD in Renaissance literature and has written extensively on a number of literary topics, specifically Elizabethan drama. Marco has been teaching English for over 20 years and has previously lectured and taught at universities in Italy, England and Ireland.
- Course workbook: Our course is accompanied by a course workbook, which can be used for self-study or creating your own discussion groups with friends (a bit like a book club).
What's Covered?
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.
Lesson 2
Comedies: Introduction
We look at comedy as a genre, its classical structure and how Shakespeare alters that structure.
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.
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.
Lesson 5
Comedies: The Tempest - The Sense of an Ending
''As you from crimes would pardon'd be, Let your indulgence set me free.''
Lesson 6
Tragedies: Introduction
Marco considers how tragedies are defined and how Shakespeare challenges expectations in his tragedies.
Lesson 7
Tragedies: Hamlet - The Everyman
Why Hamlet's tale is universal and reflects our own confusion at the nature of our existence.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lesson 13
Sonnets: Introduction - To Hear With Eyes
We consider the form of the sonnet and how Shakespeare makes the form his own.
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.
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.''
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.''
Lesson 17
Sonnets: Sonnet XXIII
''O, learn to read what silent love hath writ: To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.''
Lesson 18
Sonnets: Sonnet XXIX
''For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.''
Lesson 19
Sonnets: Sonnet CXXX
''And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.''
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.
Lesson 21
Course Conclusion
''If all the world’s a stage, Shakespeare’s voices become our own.''
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Feedback For Our Courses
"I always felt Shakespeare’s was everyone else’s realm but mine. Marco’s course has changed that and finally I’m learning that Shakespeare is for me too. Marco is a passionate and gifted teacher, and the excellent course workbook adds a fantastic extra dimension to the course. It's hard for me to convey just how transformational this Shakespeare course has been for me."
Helen"I absolutely loved it! I am so excited to have an excuse to revisit Shakespeare."
Charlotte"I’ve just begun the first lecture as I am saving this Shakespearean course as an Autumn treat and I’m bowled over by Dr. Marco’s introduction already. Thank you."
Anne Smyth
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