William Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies

By: Peter Saccio, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Peter Saccio

Shakespeare's plays - whether a comedy like A Midsummer Night's Dream, a history like Henry IV, or a tragedy like Hamlet - are treasure troves of insight into our very humanity. These 36 lectures introduce you to Shakespeare's major plays from each of these three genres and explain the achievement that makes him the leading playwright in Western civilization.

As you'll see, the key to Shakespeare's massive achievement is his "abundance," according to Professor Saccio; not only in the number and length of his plays but in the variety of experiences they depict, the multitude of actions and characters they contain, the combination of public and private life they deal with, and the richness of feelings they express.

All the major plays are here for you to dive into, explore, and enjoy: The Taming of the Shrew (with its realistic look at bourgeois marriage customs), Measure for Measure (which shows Shakespeare breaking out of comic conventions), Richard III (the source of one of the Bard's most entertaining and frightening historical villains), Henry V (which raises questions about the morality of warfare), Macbeth (with its piercing look into the consciousness of a man hungry for power), and more. As the richness of each of these and other plays is revealed, you'll also touch upon the far-ranging philosophical and theological implications behind them. By the last lecture, you'll have a true understanding of why these comedies, histories, and tragedies endure even to this very day.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses

learned Shakespeare analysis

The Prof knows his stuff.
A complete analysis of the comedies, histories and Tragedies. If you like Shakespeare you will love this book.

Bravo

Peter is magnificent. His passion for Shakespeare permeates the entire lecture series. Very well done!

Shakespeare Explained

This is a highly engrossing and well performed account of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies in that order. A knowledge of the Plays is assumed, however this audio can be enjoyed without it. Professor Saccio goes into great detail of the historical background of the plays which highlights and compliments the plots. Being an actor/Director himself, he dramatizes many of the most critical soliloquies and speeches of each play. This is one of my favorite audios and if you love Shakespeare, as I do, it is a very welcome and highly enlightening compliment. Kudos to Professor Saccio!

Superb

Perhaps the best course I have heard so far. Excellent in every way. Peter Saccio is brilliant.

Excellent

Professor Saccio’s interpretation & readings of Shakespeare make me want to read all the plays right now. This was an interesting & stimulating course.