A Shakespeare expert lectures on what makes the Bard such a compelling storyteller who has captivated audiences for centuries. In her estimation, the details of his plots are obvious and largely unimportant. Instead, we return to his works to learn how things unfold, using his plays to understand why humans act the way they do. Listen here.
What it means to call something 'Shakespearean'
Comparing a modern work to Shakespeare is intended as praise, but, as this writer points out, it’s not a terribly helpful descriptor. This article highlights the varied ways “Shakespearean” gets tossed around, including an oft-cited but rarely interrogated claim about "The Lion King," then proposes a more practical application. Find out more here.
How math breakthroughs influenced Shakespeare's plays
New mathematical concepts—like calculus and the concept of zero—arrived in the late 1500s and early 1600s, when Shakespeare was reaching his creative peak. This article highlights Shakespeare’s interest in mathematical metaphors and motifs, arguing that he was reflecting the new, iconoclastic ideas. Read more here.
How did Shakespeare's Globe Theater burn down?
The Globe Theater was the home of Shakespeare’s troupe, the King’s Men, and the stage where some of his most iconic plays first appeared. But on the opening for "Henry VIII," the Globe burned to the ground. Dr. Will Tosh explains how it happened, how the cast responded, and what happened to the famed theater after the flames were extinguished. Watch here.
The story of Missouri inmates performing 'Hamlet'
Hamlet is considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays—many consider it the greatest play, period. This episode of Ira Glass’s "This American Life" focuses on one particular production staged at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in 2002 and performed by its inmates, many of whom were convicted of violent crimes. Listen to the story here.
The curse of 'Macbeth' performances
Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" is loaded with ghosts, witches, and magic spells. Legend has it that the uncanny made its way off the page and into the play’s first production, a superstition that has led actors to refuse to utter the show’s name. This history of the curse sorts through the folklore to tease out the facts behind why actors avoid calling it "Macbeth." Read here.
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