Reading the past: Shakespearean drama

In this unit, you will work through three to five key play-texts by, or related to, William Shakespeare (1564-1616), with particular emphasis on the cultural, political, religious, industrial and ideological contexts of the work and its reception. We will be concerned with Shakespeare's works as texts in production, including theatrical and screen adaptations, and as a product engaged with by a reader---i.e. put into production through the act of reading, speaking or adapting the text. The unit will be especially useful if you intend to teach English, Literature or Drama/Performing Arts in the secondary-education system.