Introduction to Shakespeare: Exploring the language and meaning of Hamlet and Macbeth drafted
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | - |
| 2023-05-02 | - |
| 2023-09-26 | 2023-07-17 |
| 2024-01-16 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
Hamlet and Macbeth are among the most famous plays ever written, reimagined over and over again in the 400 years since they were first performed. Led by Dr Carole Maddern, a specialist in the early modern period, this 4-week, live online course aims to open up the language and poetry of Shakespeare, to give life to the words on the page by studying some of the most celebrated productions and performances.
You’ll begin to explore what makes these plays so impressive. Their poetry, their soul-searching, and their philosophical poignancy. Actors often regard playing Hamlet and Macbeth as the pinnacle of their careers, with an endless array of reinterpretations, from Lawrence Oliver to Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Fassbender. Women too have often played the central roles, from the 18th century onwards, with Sarah Bernhardt a famous pioneer Hamlet in the late 19th century, and more recent productions showcasing fine performances, for example from Maxine Peake, Ruth Negga, Kate Herriot and Emma Roth. What is it that makes these tragedies, and, in particular, the central protagonists, so inspiring and fascinating?
Even if you’ve never seen or read the plays, much of them will be familiar to you from famous lines such as, ‘There is something rotten in the state of Denmark’, ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be’, ‘To be or not to be…’, ‘Double, double, toil and trouble’, ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow’, ‘Life’s but a walking shadow … a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing’. This course aims to demystify these tragedies, and begin to explore the meanings of the plays, both in their time and today.
During course sessions, you’ll draw out layers of meaning and explore the rich ambiguity of much of the language through close readings. You’ll study video performances and depending on current productions, you may be encouraged to attend a live performance, to gain a sense of the plays as embodied drama. You’ll discuss major themes including revenge, madness, the moral order, power, gender inequalities and psychological conflict. You’ll also reflect on how the plays reveal the complexity of life, with moments of tenderness, reflection and horror combining to present haunting drama that is rightly regarded as enduring for all time.
Course structure
Session 1:
Who was Shakespeare? Historical and theatrical contexts - Introduction to early modern theatre, its spaces and conventions, including its all-male cast. What is renaissance tragedy? The complex layers Shakespeare applies, to create psychological dramas.Session 2:
How to read Shakespeare: Relaxing into the language, selective close reading of some soliloquies, key moments of the action.Session 3:
Shaping the plot and creating characters. The arc of the plots, the contributions of the supporting cast and minor characters.Session 4:
the plays’ main themes and their relevance today - Issues of power, war, violence and political corruption dominate; modern approaches include feminist and Freudian reappraisals, reimaginings across the globe, showing an ongoing relevance and fluidity of interpretation.Learning outcomes
Throughout this course, you'll:
Goldsmiths, University of London
Overview:
Goldsmiths, University of London is a public research university located in South East London. It is known for its progressive teaching and world-leading research, particularly in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The university prides itself on fostering a space for self-discovery and offers a single-site campus experience.
Services Offered:
Student Support:
Goldsmiths provides a range of support services for students, including a library, IT support, and a dedicated Graduate School for postgraduate research students.Learning Resources:
The university offers access to the Learn.gold virtual learning environment (VLE) and the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC).Campus Life:
Goldsmiths offers a vibrant campus experience with accommodation options, campus tours, and opportunities to connect with students through the Unibuddy platform.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Goldsmiths offers a unique campus experience in the heart of South East London. Students can explore the campus through virtual tours and learn about the local area through area guides. The university also hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Progressive Teaching:
Goldsmiths is known for its innovative and forward-thinking teaching methods.World-Leading Research:
The university boasts a strong research reputation, particularly in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.Vibrant Campus Community:
Goldsmiths fosters a diverse and inclusive campus community with a strong sense of belonging.Career Success:
A high percentage of Goldsmiths graduates move on to highly-skilled work after their studies.Academic Programs:
Goldsmiths offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
