MASSOLIT

English Literature

Shakespeare: Coriolanus

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 on the tension between the...

Dr Martin Wiggins

The Shakespeare Institute

English Literature

Shakespeare: Henry V

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 second...

Prof. John Roe

York University

English Literature

Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

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...

Dr Christie Carson

Royal Holloway, London

English Literature

Shakespeare: Henry IV, Part I

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...

Prof. John Roe

York University

English Literature

Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing

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;...

Prof. John Lennard

Independent Scholar

English Literature

Shakespeare: Measure for Measure

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...

Prof. John Roe

York University

English Literature

Shakespeare: Othello

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...

Prof. John Lennard

Independent Scholar

English Literature

Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

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 think...

Prof. John Lennard

Independent Scholar

English Literature

Shakespeare: Twelfth Night

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...

Dr Sophie Duncan

Oxford University

English Literature

Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale

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 structure, and, of...

Dr Charles Moseley

Cambridge University

English Literature

Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra

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...

Prof. John Lennard

Independent Scholar

English Literature

Shakespeare: King Lear

In this course, we explore several aspects of King Lear. We begin by looking at some of the textual problems of the play, before looking at aspects of the play and its performance. In particular, we explore the play’s comedic...

Prof. John Lennard

Independent Scholar