Explore Shakespeare’s stagecraft through three of his most well-known plays: Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth.
7,243 enrolled on this course
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Duration
2 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Shakespeare: Context and Stagecraft
Study fascinating theatrical and social contexts that shaped Shakespeare’s plays
On this course, you’ll explore the language, themes, and contexts of three of Shakespeare’s most widely studied and frequently performed plays.
You’ll consider the different performance choices they offer and learn about the theatrical practices that influenced Shakespeare’s stagecraft.
This course will complement curriculums across the globe while offering students the chance to delve deeper into areas that schools often don’t have time to cover, such as performance, dramaturgy, and context.
The course can be taken remotely by an entire class, offering students the option to learn together during the disruption of their studies due to COVID-19.
What topics will you cover?
- Shakespeare’s stagecraft
- Early modern performance conditions and Shakespeare’s plays
- Language and how it creates meaning
- Historical and literary context of the plays
- The afterlives of Shakespeare’s plays
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the language and themes of Shakespeare’s plays
- Identify early modern performance practices and how they contributed to Shakespeare’s stagecraft
- Explain the plays’ social and historical context
- Compare different performance choices
Who is the course for?
This course is primarily designed for those studying or teaching Shakespeare as part of the school curriculum.
The course is also suitable for anyone new to Shakespeare, as well as those looking to refresh their knowledge.
Who will you learn with?
I am Professor of English and Director of the London Shakespeare Centre at King's College London and academic director, Shakespeare400. I have published widely on Shakespeare and his contemporaries.
Gemma Miller is a Lecturer in Early Modern Literature and Culture at King's College London
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
---|---|---|---|
Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 19 Feb 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 19 Feb 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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