Start learning today, and be successful in your academic & professional career. Start Today!

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
Introduction to William Shakespeare
22m 20s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:18
- Lesson Overview1:02
- Who Was William Shakespeare?1:38
- Playwright1:40
- Poet1:44
- Businessman1:52
- Wordsmith2:00
- What Do We Know About Shakespeare?2:06
- Birth2:08
- Father2:34
- Education2:56
- Marriage4:10
- Children4:51
- The Lost Period5:52
- Work in London6:36
- Globe Theater8:14
- Real Estate Investments8:28
- Writing Style8:52
- Early Plays9:30
- Comedies9:36
- Histories9:54
- Others Written in Early Period10:26
- Big Plays10:36
- Problem Plays11:02
- What Else Do We Know About Shakespeare?11:30
- Wrote Poetry11:32
- Fewer plays after 160711:42
- Died12:28
- What Don't We Know About Shakespeare?14:02
- Few Personal Records14:46
- No Portraits During Lifetime14:52
- Little Unpaid Writing15:40
- Limited Education15:54
- Religion16:16
- Sexuality16:54
- Authorship17:32
- Why Does Shakespeare Matter?18:12
- Invented Modern English18:16
- Most Quoted19:08
- Changed Storytelling19:26
- Most Human Human Being19:40
- Am I Ever Going to Use This in the Real World?20:16
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare21:10
How This Course Will Work
4m 18s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:10
- What Does This Course Do?0:30
- What Does This Course Not Do?0:54
- What’s in Each Lesson?1:56
- Background of the work2:04
- Content of the work2:12
- Tips and tricks2:20
- How to Use These Videos3:28
II. Plays
Romeo and Juliet
26m 51s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Lesson Overview0:44
- Background1:30
- Setting2:34
- Characters3:30
- Romeo3:31
- Montague3:44
- Benvolio3:56
- Prince Escalus4:04
- Count Paris4:12
- Mercutio4:26
- Juliet4:44
- Capulet4:58
- Tybalt5:04
- Rosaline5:24
- Nurse5:42
- Friar Laurence6:06
- Plot6:24
- The brawl6:26
- The barty7:32
- The balcony scene9:14
- Marriage arrangements10:34
- Lots and lots of fighting11:08
- Lots and lots of angst12:34
- The plot thickens13:30
- The tomb15:06
- Themes17:06
- Major Passages20:02
- Jumping-off Points21:40
- Love21:42
- Fate22:08
- Blame22:16
- Light and Darkness22:44
- Tragedy or Dark Comedy?23:00
- Source of Family Feuds23:28
- Remakes24:06
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare25:28
Hamlet
39m 28s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Lesson Overview0:40
- Background1:20
- Setting2:54
- Major Characters4:02
- Hamlet4:10
- Claudius4:34
- Gertrude4:54
- Polonius5:14
- Laertes5:38
- Ophelia5:48
- Horatio6:14
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern6:28
- The Ghost6:44
- Fortinbras7:14
- Gravediggers7:18
- Plot7:32
- A death, a wedding, and a coronation7:34
- Appearance of the ghost8:36
- The mad prince9:54
- Laertes leaves for Paris and Ophelia gets advice10:30
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern11:08
- Hamlet and Ophelia11:38
- The Mouse-Trap12:08
- Reaction15:44
- Ophelia's madness16:52
- Laertes returns and Ophelia dies17:40
- Hamlet returns; Yorick and Ophelia's grave18:40
- The duel20:22
- Everybody dies (except Horatio)20:56
- Themes22:10
- Major Passages26:18
- Act I, scene 2, 129-15826:34
- Act I, scene 4, 6727:12
- Act II, scene 2, 297-29828:04
- Act III, scene 1, 58-9028:52
- Act V, scene 1, 12229:46
- Act V, scene 1, 185-19531:18
- Jumping-off Points31:58
- Uncertainty in the play32:00
- Examine comedy32:38
- Hinge points in the play33:46
- The role of women34:30
- Suicide35:28
- Examine theatricality36:32
- Soliloquies37:10
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare38:10
Macbeth
24m
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Public Service Announcement0:44
- Lesson Overview1:18
- Background1:54
- Setting4:20
- Major Characters4:52
- Macbeth4:58
- Lady Macbeth5:20
- Duncan5:28
- Malcom and Donalblain5:30
- Banquo5:32
- Fleance5:38
- Macduff6:04
- Lady Macduff6:16
- Witches6:22
- Siward6:25
- Hecate6:27
- Ross, Lennox, Angus, Menteith, Caithness6:39
- Plot6:45
- Macbeth's and Manquo's victories6:46
- The witches' prophecy6:59
- Prophecy fulfilled7:59
- Lady Macbeth's encouragement8:05
- The murder of Duncan8:29
- Malcom and Donalblain flee8:41
- Banquo killed, Fleance excapes9:05
- The feast9:23
- Witches redux9:59
- Move against Macduff11:05
- Lady Macbeth's madness and suicide12:29
- Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane12:41
- Macbeth vs. Macduff12:59
- Prophecies fulfilled13:31
- Macbeth dies, Malcolm becomes king13:43
- Themes13:47
- Major Passages17:19
- Act I, scene 5, 36-5217:25
- Act I, scene 7, 1-2818:09
- Act II, scene 2, 55-6118:21
- Act V, scene 1, 30-3418:55
- Act V, scene 5, 16-2719:19
- Jumping-off Points19:55
- How does the idea of prophecy play out?19:57
- How are the five kings in the play alike and different?20:11
- Who is the hero of the play?20:39
- Is Macbeth villainous or tragic? Or both?20:59
- Is this play misogynistic?21:11
- What role does blood play in the story?21:23
- Key events offstage21:39
- Is Macbeth a moral play?22:39
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare23:03
King Lear
30m 59s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:38
- Background1:08
- Setting2:26
- Major Characters3:04
- Lear3:05
- Goneril3:12
- Regan3:16
- Cordelia3:24
- Earl of Kent3:32
- Fool3:44
- Dukes of Albany and Cornwall3:48
- Oswald3:50
- Earl of Gloucester3:58
- Edgar/Poor Tom4:06
- Edmund4:12
- Plot4:26
- Gloucester and his bastard4:40
- Lear's contest; kingdom divided; Cordelia disinherited5:00
- Lear's visit and Goneril's complaints6:36
- Kent becomes Caius7:00
- Message to Gloucester and off to Regan's castle7:24
- Plot, cont.7:36
- Edmund tricks Gloucester7:42
- Kent vs. Oswald8:42
- Edgar's disguise9:12
- Lear Betrayed9:42
- The storm10:06
- Edmund rises with Cornwall11:42
- Kent and Gloucester make plans12:14
- Plot, cont.12:24
- Gloucester captured and tried12:30
- Lear's madness and the Fool vanishes13:22
- Gloucester reunited with Edgar14:10
- Albany splits from Goneril and Cornwall dies14:34
- Kent arrives in Dover; Lear won't see Cordelia15:10
- Plot, cont.15:28
- Regan schemes against Goneril15:34
- Gloucester's miracle15:52
- Edgar kills Oswald16:34
- Mad Lead pardons Gloucester's sins and flees16:58
- Edgar gives Albany a letter, theres a fight and more scheming17:32
- Plot, cont.17:56
- Battle; Lear and Cordelia captured17:58
- Edgar saves Gloucester18:18
- Lear and Cordelia sent away; Edmund lies18:26
- Edgar vs. Edmund; treachery revealed19:02
- Goneril and Regan die19:20
- Lear weeps over Cordelia; Edmund dies; Lear dies19:58
- Kent dying; Edgar ascends20:16
- Themes20:22
- Major Passages22:40
- Act I, scene 2, 1-2223:28
- Act IV, scene 1, 37-3824:04
- Act V, scene 3, 256-26024:42
- Jumping-off Points25:44
- What is nature's role in the play?25:45
- How do your perceptions of the major characters change throughout the play?26:30
- Relationship between Cordelia and Lear; Edgar and Gloucester; Goneril and Regan and Edmund26:40
- What purpose does the Fool serve? Why does he vanish?27:26
- What role does age play in the story?28:10
- Dissolution of authority29:12
- Why did Shakespeare change the ending?29:26
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare29:58
Othello
24m 32s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:30
- Background1:04
- Setting2:58
- Major Characters3:54
- Othello4:02
- Desdemona4:04
- Michael Cassio4:28
- Iago4:46
- Brabantio5:04
- Emilia5:10
- Bianca5:20
- Roderigo5:26
- Duke of Venice5:32
- Gratiano5:34
- Lodovico5:40
- Montano5:46
- Clown5:52
- Plot5:58
- Roderigo and Iago; Othello's secret marriage; Iago's plot6:00
- Othello's trail7:04
- The army goes to Cyprus7:48
- The feast of Cyprus8:06
- Iago sends Cassio to Desdemona9:16
- Plot, cont.9:30
- Cassio asks Desdemona for help9:36
- Iago suggests to Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful9:42
- Othello's self-doubt10:28
- Handkerchief stolen11:04
- Iago goads Othello even more11:06
- Iago gets Cassio to laugh and Biana gets Othello to believe12:20
- Plot, cont.12:48
- Othello rages at Desdemona12:56
- Othello goes for a walk13:56
- Roderigo and Iago attack Cassio; Iago kills Roderigo14:50
- Othello kills his wife15:18
- Iago is revealed; Emilia dies15:54
- Othello kills himself16:16
- Themes16:18
- Major Passages18:14
- Act I, scene 1, 57-6518:26
- Act I, scene 3, 179-18819:08
- Act III, scene 3, 267-27920:00
- Act V, scene 2, 341-35420:40
- Jumping-off Points22:00
- How does race play out in this play?22:12
- Examine the role of sex in this play22:40
- How does Emilia change?22:54
- How does Iago play with the audience's sympathies?23:00
- Male characters' dual roles as military men and lovers23:10
- Physical and emotional isolation23:24
- How is this Iago's story? How is it Othello's?23:38
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare23:50
A Midsummer Night's Dream
30m 12s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:54
- Background1:48
- Setting3:50
- Characters5:44
- Theseus5:50
- Hippolyta5:56
- Hermia6:02
- Lysander6:10
- Helena6:22
- Demetrius6:52
- Egeus7:04
- Bottom7:16
- Quince, Flute, Starveling, Snout, Snug7:32
- Oberon7:56
- Titania8:08
- Puck8:20
- Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed8:46
- Plot9:02
- A wedding or an execution9:04
- The lovers run away10:12
- Helena and Demetrius run after them10:18
- Everybody gets lost in the woods10:48
- Titania and Oberon fight11:00
- Flower juice11:42
- Oberon feels sorry for Helena13:20
- Stupid actors in the forest13:24
- Puck helps15:32
- Plot, cont.15:44
- Lysander falls in love with Helena15:52
- Everyone runs around in circles17:40
- Demetrius falls in love with Helena17:46
- Duels, tears, and more running around18:16
- Plot, cont.18:32
- The actors rehearse18:38
- Puck, Bottom, and the donkey head18:44
- Titania in love19:20
- Oberon gets the child19:28
- Lovers go back to normal19:36
- Discovery19:54
- A group wedding20:24
- And it was all a dream!20:36
- Themes20:54
- Love20:58
- Shape-shifting21:08
- Dreams21:56
- Authority22:26
- Gender roles22:48
- Major Passages23:24
- Act I, scene 1, 132-13423:28
- Act I, scene 1, 227-23523:50
- Act III, scene 2, 11524:22
- Act IV, scene, 199-20924:52
- Act V, epilogue, 1-825:18
- Jumping-off Points26:30
- Development of dreams26:34
- Love26:48
- Rules and tradition26:58
- Changes27:12
- Sex and coarse jokes27:22
- Puck and Bottom27:45
- Honesty28:22
- Play within a play28:36
- Humor29:02
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare29:24
Much Ado About Nothing
30m 34s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:44
- Background1:18
- Setting2:44
- Major Characters3:32
- Don Pedro3:34
- Benedick3:48
- Claudio4:20
- Don John4:34
- Borachio and Conrade5:06
- Leonato5:20
- Major Characters (Cont.)5:30
- Hero5:32
- Beatrice6:00
- Antonio6:26
- Ursula and Margaret6:32
- Friar Francis6:42
- Dogberry6:46
- Plot6:58
- Visitors on the way home from the wars7:04
- The guests arrive7:36
- The ball8:42
- A plot against the lovers10:26
- Eavesdropping in the garden11:16
- Beatrice and Benedick in love-ish13:18
- An accusation and promised proof13:28
- The polite watchmen13:42
- The wedding14:28
- An interrogation16:28
- Two challenges to a duel16:48
- The watchmen reveal all16:50
- Claudio's grief16:58
- Leonato's terms17:08
- The Bs attempt to flirt17:40
- The wedding day18:18
- Themes19:36
- Major Passages22:32
- Act II, scene 3, 204-20822:33
- Act IV, scene 1, 217-22123:54
- Act IV, scene 2, 67-7824:24
- Jumping-off Points26:28
- Beatrice and Benedick26:34
- Tragedy or Dark Comedy?26:54
- Deception27:26
- Language and puns27:42
- Honor28:22
- Words and wit28:56
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare29:40
The Merchant of Venice
30m 55s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:54
- Background1:24
- Setting2:54
- Characters5:16
- Antonio5:16
- Bassanio5:24
- Gratiano5:44
- Lorenzo5:48
- Portia5:58
- Nerissa6:14
- Shylock6:36
- Jessica7:02
- Duke of Venice7:06
- Launcelot Gobbo and Old Gobbo7:16
- Plot7:28
- Antonio and Bassanio7:30
- Portia and Nerissa8:38
- Shylock10:02
- The Prince of Morocco11:24
- Gobbo's new job12:14
- Jessica and Lorenzo12:58
- The Prince of Morocco fails13:42
- Shylock's daughter and ducats14:04
- The prince of Arragon fails14:54
- Antonio' s fortune lost?15:20
- Bassanio wins Portia's hand15:42
- Antonio in prison16:32
- I'll have my bond16:46
- Portia and Nerissa: Road trip!17:00
- Antonio and Shylock go to trial17:32
- Balthazar17:34
- The quality of mercy is not strained18:14
- A loophole in the contract18:34
- Shylock loses everything19:18
- Fun with rings, happy ending20:30
- Themes20:48
- Major Passages24:14
- Act IV, scene 1, 89-9924:42
- Act IV, scene 1, 179-19724:52
- Jumping-off Points25:58
- The portrayal of Shylock26:06
- How would you portray Shylock?27:02
- Justice and mercy27:40
- Is this play a comedy or not?27:54
- The relationship between Antonio and Bassanio28:14
- The roles of Venice and Belmont28:40
- The relationship between Jessica and Shylock29:06
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare30:04
Twelfth Night
19m 8s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Lesson Overview0:42
- Background1:24
- Setting3:08
- Characters3:40
- Viola/Cesario3:38
- Sebastian4:04
- Orsino4:10
- Olivia4:24
- Malvolio4:52
- Maria5:08
- Antonio5:16
- Sir Toby Belch5:34
- Sir Andrew Aguecheek5:36
- Feste6:00
- Plot6:11
- Orsino in love6:28
- The shipwreck6:32
- A visit to Olivia7:26
- A prank on Malvolio8:12
- Viola and Orsino8:18
- Olivia tries to woo Cesario9:10
- Antonio and Sebastian appear in town9:18
- Malvolio tries to woo Olivia9:32
- Sir Andrew picks fight with Viola9:52
- Antonio rescues Sebastian, is arrested10:12
- Sebastian is challenges, courted, married11:04
- The clown mocks Malvolio11:30
- Marriage and beating revealed11:48
- Twins are reunited11:56
- Orsino falls for Viola12:22
- Prank on Malvolio is revealed12:28
- Laughing and singing12:34
- Themes12:36
- Major Passages14:33
- Act I, scene 1, 1-1514:34
- Act I, scene 5, 237-24514:54
- Act II, scene 4, 91-10115:28
- Act V, scene 1, 258-26615:48
- Jumping-off Points16:28
- Gender roles16:22
- The Twelfth Night Holiday16:44
- Comical characters16:58
- Malvolio17:18
- The ending17:34
- Compare Orsino and Olivia17:48
- Mistaken identity18:14
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare18:30
Julius Caesar
23m 55s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:38
- Background1:18
- Setting3:29
- Major Characters4:41
- Julis Caesar4:47
- Calpurnia4:53
- Octavius, Mark Antony, Lepidus5:07
- Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena5:33
- Brutus5:37
- Cassius6:03
- Portia6:17
- Casca, Tredonius, Ligarius, Decius Brutus, Metellus, Cimber, Cinna6:23
- Cinna6:25
- Soothsayer6:33
- Flavius and Marullus6:47
- Plot6:53
- The two tribunes6:55
- Caesar's triumph7:11
- Brutus and Cassius7:59
- The conspiracy8:43
- Plot, cont.8:51
- The assassination8:55
- The funeral10:09
- Brutus and Cassius fall out11:43
- Plot, cont.12:03
- Conspirators go to war12:04
- A tribute to Brutus12:29
- Themes13:07
- Major Passages15:37
- Act III, scene 2, 82-9615:41
- Act IV, scene 2, 269-27615:51
- Jumping-off Points17:51
- The use of fate and prophecy17:55
- How can the text be applied to different moments in history?19:05
- Deviations from the oringinal19:18
- The role of reputation in the play20:09
- Is Brutus truly the hero?21:03
- Friendship in the play21:41
- Who is the protagonist?22:25
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare22:56
Henry V
29m 12s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Lesson Overview0:54
- Background1:38
- Setting2:56
- Major Characters3:26
- Henry V3:30
- Cambridge, Scrope, Grey3:40
- Chorus3:46
- Dukes of Exeter4:12
- Charles VI4:18
- Dauphin4:28
- Catherine4:30
- King Fluellen4:48
- Pistol, Bardolph, Nim5:36
- Michael Williams, John Bates, Alexander Court5:42
- Hostess5:46
- Sir John Falstaff6:10
- Plot6:22
- The chorus7:10
- The plan to invade France7:16
- The plot against the prince8:36
- In France9:20
- Charles' offer10:04
- Henry's speech and its dubious reception10:24
- Harfleur surrenders11:26
- Catherine's English lessons11:38
- French taunting12:00
- Plot, cont.12:22
- Hanging a friend12:26
- A French ultimatum13:04
- Henry in disguise13:18
- Agincourt14:44
- Plot, cont.17:14
- Victory at Agincourt17:20
- Aftermath18:32
- Themes19:44
- Major Passages22:14
- Act I, scene 1, 1 ff22:46
- Act III, scene 1, 6-2723:02
- Act IV, scene 1, 242-26623:50
- Act IV, scene 3, 20-3924:24
- Jumping-off Points25:12
- How does the play deal with relationships between men?25:22
- What kind of king is Henry?26:00
- Examine Henry's use of language in the play26:32
- Does this play glorify war and conquest?26:54
- Marriage, families, and parenting27:20
- How does this play deal with diversity among the English forces?27:46
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare28:09
Richard III
23m 42s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:40
- Background1:16
- Setting2:04
- Major Characters2:58
- Richard III3:04
- Edward, Prince of Wales and Richard, Duke of York3:14
- Lady Anne3:42
- Lord Buckingham3:48
- Edward IV3:54
- Clarence4:04
- Queen Elizabeth4:28
- Dorset, Rivers and Gray4:40
- Duchess of York4:48
- Margaret4:54
- Young Elizabeth5:20
- Tyrell5:34
- Richmon5:46
- Hastings5:54
- Plot6:06
- Richard's jealousy6:14
- Clarence in the Tower of London8:16
- Marriage to the Lady Anne8:24
- Queen Margaret warns the court about Richard9:00
- Clarence is killed, Edward is blamed9:18
- The Princes in the Tower9:38
- Richard's next marriage11:10
- Plot, cont.12:12
- Richard's paranoia grows12:18
- The Earl of Richmond invades12:24
- Richard's nightmare12:36
- The Battle of Bosworth Field13:06
- Richmond becomes King Hengry VII, marries Elizabeth13:14
- Themes13:20
- Major Passages16:14
- Act I, scene 1, 1-4016:20
- Act I, scene 3, 220-23016:58
- Act IV, scene 4, 118-12317:30
- Act V, scene 5, 134-14518:48
- Jumping-off Points19:46
- Is Richard a hero or a villain?19:56
- Examine the use of language in the play?20:28
- What form does evil take in the play?20:46
- How does Shakespeare portray the relationship between monarchs and those they rule?21:24
- Portrayal of Richard against history21:56
- The roles of men and women in the play, who has power?22:06
- Examine the concept of loyalty in the play?22:16
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare22:47
The Winter's Tale
20m 46s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:40
- Background1:12
- Setting2:01
- Major Characters3:09
- Leontes3:10
- Hermione3:17
- Polixenes3:37
- Camillo3:51
- Paulina3:59
- Antigonus4:13
- Perdita4:27
- Dion and Cleomenes4:35
- Manilius5:07
- Florizel5:15
- Shepherd5:21
- Clown5:29
- Autolycus5:33
- Plot5:43
- Polixenes visits Leontes5:45
- Leontes suspects Hermione6:21
- Hermione on trial7:13
- Antigonus and the baby8:17
- Prince Florizel finds the coutryside interesting9:45
- Polixenes and Camillo go in disguise9:55
- The sheep-shearing10:07
- An escape11:15
- At the Sicilian court11:31
- At Paulina's house12:21
- Themes13:33
- Major Passages15:09
- Act II, scene 115:33
- Act II, scene 315:51
- Act IV, scene 416:11
- Act v, scene 316:31
- Jumping-off Points17:01
- Contrast Leontes and Florizel17:03
- Two stories at once17:23
- Traditional fairytales17:33
- Influence of women in the play17:59
- Jealousy18:25
- Autolycus18:51
- Comedy? Tragedy? Romance?19:13
- Innocence and guilt19:27
- Hermione's return19:55
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare20:13
The Tempest
19m 38s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:08
- Lesson Overview0:44
- Background1:16
- Setting2:24
- Major Characters2:46
- Prospero2:47
- Miranda2:56
- Ariel3:02
- Caliban3:06
- Antonio3:20
- Gonzalo3:28
- Alonso3:54
- Sebastian3:56
- Ferdinand4:04
- Trinculo4:12
- Stephano4:16
- Plot4:26
- The tempest and the shipwreck4:42
- The island4:46
- Elsewhere6:42
- The lovers get to know each other7:38
- Ariel messes with the murderous drunks7:58
- Prospero's banquet8:02
- Pretty clothes and supernatural dogs8:54
- A lost son and a lost daughter9:30
- All is revealed9:40
- Loose ends9:56
- Themes10:54
- Major Passages13:14
- Act II, scene 2, 366-36813:22
- Act III, scene 1, 77-8613:42
- Act IV, scene 1, 148-15813:58
- Epilogue14:40
- Jumping-Off Points15:32
- Is Prospero Shakespeare?15:38
- Analyze the character of Caliban15:43
- Prospero's and Miranda's relationship16:37
- Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban17:04
- Examine the use of noise in the play17:50
- Governing the island18:22
- The Secret of Understanding Shakespeare18:34
III. Sonnets
The Sonnets
21m 9s
- Intro0:00
- First Things First0:10
- Lesson Overview0:40
- What is a Sonnet?1:26
- A 14-line lyric poem, usually about love1:32
- Structure calls for four quatrains and a couplet1:36
- Rhyme scheme1:50
- Written in iambic pentameter2:04
- What is a Sonnet?, cont.2:46
- First quatrain establishes theme2:48
- Second quatrain develops theme2:50
- Third quatrain rounds off theme2:56
- Final rhyming couplet concludes with twist or surprise3:04
- What Do We Know?3:10
- Poems probably written in the 1590s3:12
- Theaters closed in 1592 due to plague3:14
- Some poetry written on commission3:46
- Probably circulated in manuscript form4:06
- Published in 1609 without Shakespeare's permission4:14
- What Don't We Know?4:58
- Who commissioned the sonnets5:04
- How Thomas Thorpe for his hands on them5:12
- Who W.H. was5:18
- Who the characters were5:48
- Why Do the Sonnets Matter?5:54
- Some of the finest poetry ever written6:00
- Created new sonnet form6:12
- Writing by Shakespeare that isn't a play6:32
- Great for quoting6:52
- What It Means: Sonnet 186:58
- What It Means: Sonnet 209:00
- Sonnet Characters: The Fair Youth11:06
- Attractive young man, identity unknown11:20
- Some sonnets encourage him to procreate11:26
- Romantic or platonic love?11:32
- Affair with Dark Lady?11:50
- Possibly Henry Wriothesley12:02
- Was Shakespeare gay?12:22
- Sonnet Characters: The Dark Lady13:58
- Attractive young woman, identity unknown14:00
- Dark features14:20
- Object of sexual love14:30
- Married?14:56
- Mystery15:08
- Sonnet Characters: The Rival Poet15:20
- A competitor15:26
- Possibly George Chapman or Christopher Marlowe15:28
- Possibly fictitious16:02
- What It Means: Sonnet 13016:26
- How to Read a Shakespearean Sonnet19:06
- Break it up19:08
- Read line-by-line19:28
- Look for allusions19:36
- Read the sonnet aloud19:56
- Read it before and after assignments20:32
- Pay attention to the last couplet20:48
Loading...
This is a quick preview of the lesson. For full access, please Log In or Sign up.
For more information, please see full course syllabus of Shakespeare: Plays & Sonnets
For more information, please see full course syllabus of Shakespeare: Plays & Sonnets
Next Lecture
Previous Lecture
Start Learning Now
Our free lessons will get you started (Adobe Flash® required).
Sign up for Educator.comGet immediate access to our entire library.
Membership Overview