Approaching Shakespeare

About

Each lecture in this series focuses on a single play by Shakespeare, and employs a range of different approaches to try to understand a central critical question about it. Rather than providing overarching readings or interpretations, the series aims to show the variety of different ways we might understand Shakespeare, the kinds of evidence that might be used to strengthen our critical analysis, and, above all, the enjoyable and unavoidable fact that Shakespeare's plays tend to generate our questions rather than answer them.

Episodes

• Love's Labour's Lost 2024-02-12

  Emma Smith discusses the play Love's Labour's Lost in a lecture for the Approaching Shakespeare series.

• The Two Gentlemen of Verona 2017-12-15

  Professor Emma Smith delivers a 2017 lecture on William Shakespeare's early comedy, "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

• Henry VI, Part 2 2017-11-09

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare features a 2017 lecture by Professor Emma Smith on Henry VI, Part 2, an early history play by William Shakespeare.

• The Merry Wives of Windsor 2017-10-25

  Professor Emma Smith delivers a lecture on William Shakespeare's play, The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• All's Well That Ends Well 2017-10-25

  This episode features Professor Emma Smith lecturing on William Shakespeare's comedy, All's Well That Ends Well.

• Cymbeline 2017-10-25

  Professor Emma Smith lectures on Shakespeare's late play, Cymbeline. This is part of the Approaching Shakespeare series.

• Timon of Athens 2015-06-23

  Emma Smith delivers a lecture on the play Timon of Athens, marking the end of the Approaching Shakespeare series.

• Julius Caesar 2015-05-18

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare analyzes Julius Caesar, examining its structure, tone, and politics through the lens of the Cinna the Poet scene.

• Romeo and Juliet 2015-05-05

  This lecture examines the role of the spoiler-chorus in Romeo and Juliet. It is designed to be a helpful resource for school and college students.

• Coriolanus 2015-05-05

  This Approaching Shakespeare lecture examines Shakespeare's Coriolanus, focusing on character representation, the use of sources, and the tragedy genre. It is aimed at school and college students.

• The Merchant of Venice 2012-11-20

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare examines William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. It explores how financial transaction models shape personal relationships within the play, using the casket scenes as a key example.

• Taming of the Shrew 2012-11-09

  This episode of "Approaching Shakespeare" discusses whether the character Katherine is tamed by the end of "Taming of the Shrew." Host Emma Smith analyzes evidence from early reception and recent productions to explore this question.

• A Midsummer Night's Dream 2012-11-05

  This lecture analyzes A Midsummer Night's Dream, interpreting the play through modern and early modern understandings of dreams. It suggests the play explores themes of sexual desire more than marriage.

• Much Ado About Nothing 2012-10-30

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare examines the motivations behind characters' quick belief in the villain Don John in "Much Ado About Nothing." It uses gender and performance criticism to explore themes of male bonding, comedic genre…

• Hamlet 2012-10-23

  This episode explores the significance of the shared name between father and son in Shakespeare's Hamlet. It examines the play's themes of nostalgia by drawing on biographical criticism and the religious and political context of early mode…

• As You Like It 2012-10-23

  This lecture analyzes Shakespeare's play "As You Like It," discussing its dramatic structure and ambiguous pastoral elements through performance history, genre theory, and eco-criticism.

• King Lear 2012-02-22

  This lecture examines how King Lear's ending has been interpreted and reshaped by Shakespeare and subsequent critics. It also explores the nature of tragedy and the reasons it provides pleasure to audiences.

• King John 2012-02-10

  This lecture focuses on the death of Arthur in King John, exploring the complexities of history and legitimacy within this plotline.

• Pericles, Prince of Tyre 2012-02-01

  This lecture from the Approaching Shakespeare series examines the artistry and popularity of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. The podcast was re-recorded and has no accompanying eBook as the play is not in the First Folio.

• Richard III 2012-01-25

  This is the thirteenth lecture in the Approaching Shakespeare series, focusing on Richard III. It explores the play's ending and whether it supports Richmond's final victory.

• The Comedy of Errors 2012-01-23

  This lecture analyzes Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, questioning the seriousness of its farcical elements and exploring its deeper themes of identity.

• Henry IV part 1 2011-11-16

  This lecture, part of the Approaching Shakespeare series, focuses on the character of Sir John Falstaff and his role within the play Henry IV Part 1.

• The Tempest 2011-11-14

  This Approaching Shakespeare lecture examines the play The Tempest. It addresses the common interpretation of Prospero as a Shakespearean self-portrait and evaluates the utility of this reading.

• Antony and Cleopatra 2011-11-10

  This episode, the ninth in the Approaching Shakespeare series, examines the nature of tragedy in Antony and Cleopatra, considering its focus on two central characters.

• Richard II 2011-11-01

  This lecture explores the central question of Richard II: was Henry Bolingbroke's overthrow of the king justified, as presented in the play?

• Twelfth Night 2011-10-20

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare focuses on the character Antonio from Twelfth Night, using his presence to discuss themes of sexuality, desire, and the nature of romantic comedy.

• Titus Andronicus 2011-10-19

  This lecture on Titus Andronicus analyzes a specific scene, examining critical responses to violence, rhetoric, and dramatic sensationalism.

• The Winter's Tale 2010-11-09

  This lecture focuses on making sense of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, examining its shifts from tragedy to comedy and its unconventional ending.

• Macbeth 2010-11-02

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare, titled Macbeth, is the fourth lecture in the series. It examines the concept of agency within the play, posing the question of who or what is responsible for the events that unfold.

• Measure for Measure 2010-10-26

  The third lecture in the Approaching Shakespeare series examines the genre of the play Measure for Measure. It explores the challenges associated with categorizing this work.

• Henry V 2010-10-20

  This episode of Approaching Shakespeare examines the character of King Henry V, exploring the complexities of his portrayal in the play and questioning if it is entirely positive.

• Othello 2010-10-18

  Emma Smith