Shakespeare Studies

Explore the timeless works and profound insights of William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in the English language.

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Module Contents

Introduction to Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

This module will guide you through Shakespeare's life, his dramatic works, poetry, language, and the enduring themes that make his writing relevant even today. Whether you're a student encountering Shakespeare for the first time or a scholar revisiting his works, this module offers valuable insights into the Bard's genius.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Life & Times

Early Life

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a glove-maker and merchant, and his mother, Mary Arden, came from a wealthy family. Shakespeare likely attended the local grammar school, where he would have studied Latin and classical literature.

In 1582, at the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was 26. They had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, Shakespeare's only son, died at the age of 11.

London Career

By 1592, Shakespeare had established himself as an actor and playwright in London. He became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a leading theatrical company. In 1599, the company built the Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed.

Shakespeare retired to Stratford around 1613 and died there on April 23, 1616, his presumed birthday. He was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Elizabethan Era Context

Shakespeare lived during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) and King James I (1603-1625). This period was marked by significant cultural, political, and scientific developments. The English Renaissance flourished, and London became a center of artistic and intellectual activity. The theater was popular among all social classes, from the nobility to common laborers.

Shakespeare's Dramatic Works

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, traditionally divided into three categories: comedies, tragedies, and histories. Some plays, such as "The Tempest" and "The Winter's Tale," are often classified as romances or tragicomedies.

Comedies

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Much Ado About Nothing
  • Twelfth Night
  • As You Like It
  • The Merchant of Venice

Tragedies

  • Hamlet
  • Othello
  • King Lear
  • Macbeth
  • Romeo and Juliet

Histories

  • Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2
  • Henry V
  • Richard III
  • Julius Caesar
  • Antony and Cleopatra

The First Folio

Many of Shakespeare's plays were first published in quarto editions during his lifetime. However, it was the publication of the First Folio in 1623, seven years after his death, that ensured the survival of his complete works. Compiled by his fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell, the First Folio contains 36 plays, 18 of which had not been previously published.

Shakespeare's Poetry

In addition to his plays, Shakespeare wrote poetry that has been celebrated for its beauty, complexity, and emotional depth. His poetry includes 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems.

The Sonnets

Shakespeare's Sonnets were published in 1609, although they were likely written over several years. The sonnets explore themes of love, beauty, mortality, and time. They are addressed to two main figures: a young man (the "Fair Youth") and a mysterious "Dark Lady."

Sonnet 18

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Narrative Poems

Venus and Adonis (1593)

A retelling of the myth of Venus, the goddess of love, and her pursuit of the mortal Adonis. The poem explores themes of love, desire, and mortality.

The Rape of Lucrece (1594)

Based on the historical account of the Roman noblewoman Lucretia. The poem examines themes of power, violence, honor, and virtue.

Language & Style

Shakespeare's language is one of his greatest legacies. He had an extraordinary vocabulary, creating new words and phrases that are still part of the English language today. His use of verse, prose, and rhetorical devices adds depth and richness to his works.

Verse and Prose

Shakespeare wrote in both verse and prose. Much of his dialogue is in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), which gives his plays a rhythmic quality while sounding natural. Prose is often used for lower-class characters, comic scenes, or moments of heightened emotion.

Iambic pentameter consists of lines with five iambs (metrical feet), each containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, resulting in a pattern of "da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM."

Figurative Language

  • Simile: Comparing two things using "like" or "as"
  • Metaphor: Implicit comparison between two unlike things
  • Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things
  • Hyperbole: Exaggerated statements or claims
  • Pun: Play on words with multiple meanings
  • Soliloquy: Character speaks their thoughts aloud
  • Aside: Character speaks to the audience, unheard by others

Shakespeare's Influence on English

Shakespeare is credited with coining or popularizing over 1,700 words that are still used in English today. Examples include:

alligator
bedroom
eyeball
fashionable
generous
lonely
majestic
obscene
puppy

Critical Analysis

Analyzing Shakespeare's works requires attention to language, structure, themes, and historical context. Here are some approaches to consider when studying his plays and poetry.

Analytical Approaches

  • 1. Textual Analysis: Examine language, imagery, and structure to understand meaning
  • 2. Character Analysis: Study motivations, relationships, and development
  • 3. Thematic Analysis: Identify and explore recurring ideas and motifs
  • 4. Historical Context: Consider the social, political, and cultural influences
  • 5. Performance Analysis: Think about how the text works in performance

Critical Perspectives

  • Formalism: Focus on the text itself, its structure and language
  • Historical Criticism: Examine the historical context of the work
  • Psychological Criticism: Analyze characters' motivations and behaviors
  • Feminist Criticism: Explore gender roles and representations
  • Marxist Criticism: Examine class relations and economic factors
  • Postcolonial Criticism: Analyze themes of power and cultural dominance

Common Challenges in Shakespeare Analysis

  • Understanding archaic language and Elizabethan expressions
  • Interpreting complex sentence structures and rhetorical devices
  • Reconciling different critical interpretations of the same work
  • Appreciating cultural references that may be unfamiliar to modern readers
  • Recognizing the difference between Shakespeare's original text and later adaptations

Key Themes

Shakespeare's works explore universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences today. These themes reflect fundamental aspects of the human experience across time and cultures.

Love & Relationships

Shakespeare examines various forms of love—romantic, familial, platonic, and self-love. He explores the joys, pains, and complexities of human relationships in works like "Romeo and Juliet," "Antony and Cleopatra," and his sonnets.

Power & Ambition

The pursuit of power and its consequences is a recurring theme, particularly in the tragedies and histories. Works like "Macbeth," "King Lear," and "Julius Caesar" explore the corrupting influence of power and unchecked ambition.

Identity & Self

Shakespeare often questions the nature of identity and self-perception. Characters like Hamlet, who famously asks "To be or not to be," and Rosalind in "As You Like It" explore themes of self-discovery and the performance of identity.

Fate & Free Will

The tension between fate and individual choice is explored in plays like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Othello." Shakespeare raises questions about whether characters control their destinies or are subject to larger forces.

Appearance vs. Reality

Many of Shakespeare's works explore the gap between appearance and reality. Themes of deception, disguise, and false appearances appear in plays like "Macbeth," "Twelfth Night," and "The Merchant of Venice."

Mortality & Time

Shakespeare frequently meditates on death, aging, and the passage of time. These themes are particularly prominent in his sonnets, where he reflects on how poetry can transcend mortality, and in plays like "Hamlet" and "King Lear."

Famous Excerpts

Shakespeare's works contain some of the most memorable lines in English literature. Here are a few famous excerpts that showcase his linguistic brilliance and thematic depth.

Hamlet's "To be or not to be" Soliloquy

To be, or not to be: that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;

From Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1

Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene

ROMEO: But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she:

Be not her maid, since she is envious;

Her vestal livery is but sick and green

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.

From Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2

Macbeth's "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" Speech

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

From Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5

Study Techniques

Studying Shakespeare can be challenging but rewarding. Here are some effective techniques to help you engage more deeply with his works.

Reading Strategies

  • Read Aloud: Shakespeare's works were meant to be heard, not just read silently
  • Use Annotated Editions: Editions with footnotes help explain archaic terms and references
  • Break It Down: Read small sections at a time, focusing on understanding
  • Summarize: After each scene, summarize what happened in your own words
  • Research Context: Learn about the historical and cultural background

Analysis Tips

  • Track Themes: Identify and follow recurring ideas throughout the work
  • Examine Language: Look for patterns in imagery, metaphors, and word choice
  • Study Character Relationships: Analyze how characters interact and influence each other
  • Consider Performance: Think about how the text would work in a theatrical setting
  • Compare Interpretations: Read different critical perspectives on the same work

Common Misconceptions

Shakespeare's language is not "old English" but Early Modern English, much closer to contemporary English
Shakespeare did not write in a deliberately obscure way; his language was accessible to his original audience
Shakespeare's works were not meant to be read primarily as literature but performed as plays
The authorship debates are not taken seriously by the vast majority of Shakespeare scholars

Interactive Exercises

Test your understanding of Shakespeare's works and develop your analytical skills with these interactive exercises.

Exercise 1: Identify the Play Type

Match each Shakespeare play to its correct category:

Exercise 2: Analyze a Famous Quote

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts..."

From As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7

Write a short analysis of this quote. What metaphor is Shakespeare using? What does it suggest about human life?

Additional Resources

Recommended Reading

  • Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson - A accessible biography
  • Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare by Isaac Asimov - Comprehensive analysis
  • Shakespeare After All by Marjorie Garber - Modern critical perspectives
  • The Norton Shakespeare - Highly recommended annotated edition
  • Shakespeare: A Very Short Introduction by Germaine Greer

Online Resources

  • Shakespeare Birthplace Trust - Official site with historical information
  • The Folger Shakespeare Library - Extensive resources and digital texts
  • Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Information about performances and history
  • MIT Shakespeare - Free online texts and resources
  • SparkNotes Shakespeare - Study guides and summaries

Film Adaptations

Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Hamlet (1996)
Macbeth (2015)
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
— William Shakespeare, As You Like It