English Literature
From Beowulf to Carol Ann Duffy, via Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, the Brontes, and others.
English Literature

In this course, Professor Cedric Watts (University of Sussex) explores Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. We begin by thinking about the strangeness of the play: is it a history, a comedy, or a tragedy? was it performed in Shakespeare's lifetime?...
5 lectures
0:43:11
Prof. Cedric Watts
Sussex University
English Literature

In this course, Dr Martin Wiggins (The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham) explores Shakespeare's Coriolanus. We begin by thinking about the political circumstances in which the action of the play takes place, focusing in particular...
8 lectures
1:02:14
Dr Martin Wiggins
The Shakespeare Institute
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Roe (University of York) explores Shakespeare's Henry V. The course begins with a brief introduction to the play as the fourth and final instalment in Shakespeare's second great tetralogy, before moving on in the...
10 lectures
1:04:45
Prof. John Roe
York University
English Literature

In this course, Dr Christie Carson (Royal Holloway, London) explores Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. We begin in the first module by thinking of the play's status as a comedy: is it enough for the play to end with a marriage...
5 lectures
0:54:40
Dr Christie Carson
Royal Holloway, London
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Roe (University of York) explores Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. The course begins by introducing the tetralogy as a whole (Richard II—Henry IV, Part I—Henry IV, Part II—Henry V), before focusing on the play’s four...
6 lectures
1:04:29
Prof. John Roe
York University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Lennard explores Shakespeare’s most urban comedy, Much Ado About Nothing. As we move through the course, we think about a number of issues, including: the setting of the play and its impact on the action;...
5 lectures
0:48:10
Prof. John Lennard
Independent Scholar
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Roe (University of York) explores Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, a play in which a Duke’s decision to put his power in the hands of the fascinating character of Angelo goes catastrophically wrong. It’s a miracle...
10 lectures
1:35:21
Prof. John Roe
York University
English Literature

In this course, we explore several aspects of Shakespeare’s Othello, thinking in particular about the play in performance. In the first module, we explore the concept of racism in the play, before moving on in the following three modules to...
5 lectures
0:41:42
Prof. John Lennard
Independent Scholar
English Literature

In this course, we explore several aspects of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, thinking in particular about the play in performance. In the first module, we think about how Shakespeare manipulates, fuses, and pays with genre, before moving on to...
5 lectures
0:51:53
Prof. John Lennard
Independent Scholar
English Literature

In this course, we explore several aspects of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. We begin by thinking about the play’s status as a comedy, before looking at a number of aspects of the play and its performance. In particular, we explore the...
6 lectures
1:00:42
Dr Sophie Duncan
Oxford University
English Literature

In this course, we explore several aspects of one of Shakespeare’s later plays, The Winter’s Tale. In particular, we consider the political and theatrical context for the play, the importance of allegory and symbolism, the play’s peculiar...
7 lectures
0:57:08
Dr Charles Moseley
Cambridge University
English Literature

In this course, we explore several aspects of Antony and Cleopatra. We begin by thinking about why Shakespeare was interested in writing plays that were set in Ancient Rome, before looking at a number of aspects of the play and...
5 lectures
0:44:56
Prof. John Lennard
Independent Scholar