Approaching Shakespeare

This podcast discusses the complex themes of love, money, and justice in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'. It explores the gender roles and structural inevitability within the play, as well as the parallels between Belmont and Venice. The economic system of mercantilism and the importance of merchants are also analyzed, along with the religious controversy surrounding usury. The symbolism of the lead casket and its connection to finance and money lending is explored, emphasizing the mercantile bonds and hazards portrayed in the casket scene.

Emma Smith uses evidence of early reception and from more recent productions to discuss the question of whether Katherine is tamed at the end of the play.

Delve into the complexities of love and rivalry in Shakespeare's play, where dreams intermingle with reality. Discover the provocative themes of sexual desire and coercion, as characters navigate the chaos of their relationships. The discussion critiques sanitized interpretations, revealing the raw tension between societal norms and personal longing. Explore the darker and comedic elements that highlight desire's power, all set against the enchanting backdrop of the woods and a playful performance of Pyramus and Thisbe.

Explore the male bonding and deception in Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing', focusing on Don John's manipulation of Claudio and Dom Pedro, the themes of gender dynamics and male camaraderie, and the societal fears about women's infidelity. Delve into Don John's motivations driven by rivalry, the complexities of Claudio and Hero's characters, and the anti-comic ideals embodied by Don John in the play.

The podcast explores the nostalgia in Hamlet through the use of father and son sharing the same name. It discusses the textual differences in various editions of the play and explores the origins of the name 'Hamlet'. The influence of religious identity, Protestant theology, and Spanish tragedy are also analyzed. The chapter on Heroic Repertoire and Parallel Performances explores the presence of heroic figures in the play and the relationship between action and speech. The importance of naming in Hamlet and its connection to nostalgia is discussed, along with how it relates to older theatrical culture and Shakespeare's biography.

Asking 'what happens in As You Like It', this lecture considers the play's dramatic structure and its ambiguous use of pastoral, drawing on performance history, genre theory, and eco-critical approaches.

The podcast discusses the tragic elements of King Lear and the theme of restoration in the play. It explores Nahum Tate's adaptation and the question of why tragedy gives pleasure. The various interpretations and criticisms of King Lear are also explored, including its connections to European avant-garde theatre and Marxist interrelations. The podcast delves into the historical and literary sources that influenced Shakespeare's play. It also discusses the surprising twist in the ending of King Lear and the textual variations between the quarto and folio versions.

At the heart of King John is the death of his rival Arthur: this fifteenth lecture in the Approaching Shakespeare series looks at the ways history and legitimacy are complicated in this plotline.

Pericles has been on the margins of the Shakespearean canon: this fourteenth lecture in the Approaching Shakespeare series shows some of its self-conscious artistry and contemporary popularity. This podcast has been re-recorded due to technical problems with the original recording. There is no accompanying eBook for this lecture as Pericles is not included in the First Folio.

In this thirteenth lecture in the Approaching Shakespeare series the focus is on the inevitability of the ending of Richard III: does the play endorse Richmond's final victory?