Approaching Shakespeare Course by Emma Smith on Free Audio Download

In this ongoing course presented by Oxford, Professor Emma Smith takes on one Shakespeare play at a time, asking a specific question on each that will hopefully shed fresh light on his work as a whole. For instance, what is the significance of OthelloвЂ™s race? Did MacbethвЂ™s bloody rise come about as a result of supernatural intervention or was he simply insane? Is the Tempest meant to be ShakespeareвЂ™s final self portrait at the end of his career? And why are the lovers so interchangeable in Midsummer NightвЂ™s Dream? By framing the discussion this way with her students, Smith hones in on what makes Shakespeare so enduring and still vital to modern audiences.