Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare
University of London
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This free course from the University of London explores critical thinking, and the interpretation of texts, through the Shakespeare authorship question. Using doubt about Shakespeare’s authorship as our playground, we will explore the key concept of authorship attribution, while developing skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and argument. Through forensic exploration of key texts, you will learn why Shakespeare’s authorship is questioned, and what evidence is cited on both sides of the debate.
For those of you interested in exploring the works of Shakespeare from a new angle, or just wanting to hone your analytical thinking skills, this course offers an introduction to a fascinating area of interest. Those of you already interested in the Shakespeare authorship question will be encouraged to question your own assumptions in fruitful ways. Whether undertaken as a standalone course, or as preparation for the University of London BA in English, this course will be food for thought.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Understanding the Question
This week is a practical introduction to the Shakespeare authorship question, covering terms and concepts you will use and outlining the basic arguments for and against William Shakespeare’s authorship of the works attributed to him. You will learn a framework for understanding how a person’s perceptions (including your own) are shaped by pre-existing beliefs and assumptions and learn how this might impact your ability to interpret and assess literary and historical evidence. You will then be introduced to a key theory of the authorship question and to the first practical exercise in close-reading a relevant text.
20 videos (Total 166 min), 4 readings, 5 quizzes
20 videos
A 1.4 The role of belief in interpretation9m
A 1.5 Interview with Kris De Meyer Part 110m
A 1.6 Interview with Kris De Meyer Part 210m
A 2.1 "Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare"7m
A 2.2 The "man-shaped hole"9m
A 2.3 Personal vs Impersonal Testimony9m
A 2.4 Literary Paper Trails10m
A 3.1 Shakspere as a broker8m
A 3.2 The Shakespeare Apocrypha9m
A 3.3 Was Shakspere a Playbroker?8m
A 3.4 Thomas Heywood and 'The Author'7m
A 4.1 Ben Jonson's poem 'On Poet-Ape' - An Introduction4m
A 4.2 "On Poet-Ape" - Textual Analysis10m
A 4.3 Shakespeare in the Parnassus Plays9m
A 5.1 Interview with Professor William Leahy Part 15m
A 5.2 Interview with Alexander Waugh Part 18m
A 5.3 Interview with Sir Mark Rylance Part 110m
A 5.4 Interview with Sir Mark Rylance Part 210m
A 5.5 Module Summary3m
4 readings
A 1.2 Terms of Reference10m
A 2.5 Absence of Evidence10m
A 3.6 Addendum10m
A 4.4 Is John Marston a strong contender for Poet-Ape?10m
5 practice exercises
A 1.3 Starting Point8m
A 1.7 The effect of belief on interpretation10m
A 2.6 The main arguments10m
A 3.5 Broker theory10m
A 4.5 Analysis of 'On Poet-Ape'10m
2
Section
The Man and the Author
In this module we’ll look at questions of identity; chiefly at arguments that attempt to link William Shakspere the man to William Shakespeare the author – or to sever that link. The arguments surrounding “Hand D” in Sir Thomas More claim to establish a firm link between Shakspere and Shakespeare, and Shakespeare’s authorship of the “Hand D” pages is now being presented as fact, so it’s important to understand the evidence, arguments, and reasons for this attribution. You’ll look in detail at the non-Stratfordian argument that Shakespeare authorship doubt was first expressed within only four years after the first “Shakespeare” publication in the works of John Marston and Joseph Hall. You’ll consider some of the key Stratfordian and non-Stratfordian arguments related to William Shakspere’s coat of arms. And lastly, you’ll look critically at an important cornerstone of Shakespeare biography, Robert Greene’s reference to a plagiarising actor, the “upstart Crow”.
22 videos (Total 160 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes
22 videos
B 1.2 Hand D - Handwriting Argument8m
B 1.3 Hand D - Spelling Argument5m
B 1.4 Hand D - Content Argument6m
B 1.5 Hand D - Author or Scribe?8m
B 2.1 A Hidden Author?9m
B 2.2 Marston and Hall - Labeo Part 111m
B 2.3 Marston and Hall - Labeo Part 211m
B 2.4 'Concealed Poets' and 'Our English Terence'7m
B 2.5 Does Hyphenation Imply Anonymity?5m
B 3.1 'Not Without Right' - Shakspere's Coat of Arms4m
B 3.2 Coat of Arms - Insulso Sogliardo9m
B 3.3 Coat of Arms - The Authorship Argument6m
B 4.1 The Upstart Crow - Allusion or Illusion?3m
B 4.2 Was Groats-worth Greene's?4m
B 4.3 The Upstart Crow as Edward Alleyn8m
B 4.4 Shake-scene and the 'Tiger's Heart'8m
B 5.1 Interview with Sir Mark Rylance Part 38m
B 5.2 Interview with Gregory Thompson Part 18m
B 5.3 Interview with Professor William Leahy Part 26m
B 5.4 Interview with Professor William Leahy Part 38m
B 5.5 Module Summary3m
2 readings
B 1.6 For and Against "Hand D = Shakespeare"30m
B 4.6 Addendum10m
4 practice exercises
B 1.7 Shakespeare and 'Hand D'10m
B 2.6 16th Century Authorship Doubt10m
B 3.4 Shakspere's Coat of Arms10m
B 4.5 The Upstart Crow12m
3
Section
The Evidence from Stratford-upon-Avon
In the module, you will look more deeply at the connection between Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare, beginning with Shakespeare-related testimony from people who had a provable personal connection to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare: William Camden, Michael Drayton, Shakespeare's son-in-law, Dr John Hall, and Shakespeare’s daughters. You’ll consider the question of his daughters’ literacy, and whether has any bearing on the authorship question. You’ll look at what are claimed to be local Warwickshire references in the plays, which have been used to support the traditional authorship attribution. And finally, you’ll consider the monument erected to Shakespeare in Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church, arguments that it was altered in the 18th century, and the three texts engraved on that monument and the connected grave.
22 videos (Total 152 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes
22 videos
C 1.2 Stratford-upon-Avon, Drayton and Dr Hall9m
C 1.3 Stratford-upon-Avon's New Vicar8m
C 1.4 Shakspere's Lodger6m
C 2.1 Shakspere's Literacy5m
C 2.2 Shakspere's Daughters' Literacy 17m
C 2.3 Shakspere's Daughters' Literacy 25m
C 2.4 Shakespeare's Education9m
C 3.2 Shakespeare and Stratford - Shrewish places6m
C 3.3 Shakespeare and Stratford - The Shrew's Induction5m
C 3.4 Shakespeare and Stratford - Dialect words7m
C 4.1 The Stratford Monument - Introduction3m
C 4.2 Stratford and the William Basse Elegy3m
C 4.3 Was the Stratford Monument Altered?9m
C 4.4 Analysis of the Monument Poem8m
C 4.5 Analysis of the Latin Lines8m
C 5.1 Interview with Alexander Waugh - Part 28m
C 5.2 Interview with Gregory Thompson Part 27m
C 5.3 Interview with Gregory Thompson Part 37m
C 5.4 Interview with Peter Dawkins Part 17m
C 5.5 Interview with Peter Dawkins Part 25m
C 5.6 Module Summary2m
2 readings
C 2.6 Addendum10m
C 3.1 Shakespeare and Stratford - Bardolph and Fluellen10m
4 practice exercises
C 1.5 Stratford Connections10m
C 2.5 Literacy and Education10m
C 3.5 Warwickshire references in Shakespeare10m
C 4.6 The Stratford Monument10m
4
Section
The First Folio as Proof of Authorship
In this final module you’ll explore the key text supporting the traditional attribution of Shakespeare’s works: the 1623 First Folio of Shakespeare’s works. You will learn why the First Folio is a critically important text for those interested in the Shakespeare authorship question, and you will study in detail – applying the textual analysis skills you have developed so far - the texts included in its preface..
19 videos (Total 117 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes
19 videos
D 1.2 The First Folio Letters4m
D 1.3 Ben Jonson's Discoveries9m
D 1.4 The Preface Poets6m
D 2.1 The Droeshout Portrait - Reception3m
D 2.2 Was Droeshout the Younger Incompetent?3m
D 2.3 The Droeshout Portrait from a Non-Stratfordian Perspective6m
D 2.4 'Look Not on His Picture' - Analysis5m
D 3.1 The Folio Link to the Stratford-on-Avon2m
D 3.2 Thy Stratford Monument4m
D 3.3 Sweet Swan of Avon!7m
D 4.1 Jonson's Eulogy - Seeliest Ignorance8m
D 4.2 Jonson's Eulogy - A Monument without A Tomb3m
D 4.3 Interview with Alexander Waugh Part 37m
D 5.1 Interview with Alexander Waugh Part 48m
D 5.2 Interview with Sir Mark Rylance Part 46m
D 5.3 Interview with Sir Mark Rylance Part 57m
D 5.4 Interview with Professor William Leahy Part 47m
D 5.5 Module Summary4m
1 readings
D 4.4 Was Ben Jonson accused of 'raping' Shakespeare?10m
4 practice exercises
D 1.5 The First Folio Preface10m
D 2.5 The Droeshout Portrait10m
D 3.4 Stratford-upon-Avon and the First Folio10m
D 4.5 Ben Jonson and Shakespeare10m
4.1
Top Reviews
By JQ•Feb 21st 2018
Great Course with many interesting and innovative concepts. Thanks to all the folks who must have worked hard and long to put this course on the internet. Dr Quincy
By FM•Mar 20th 2018
Fascinating subject. The content of this course is offered no where else. The course is well organized and presented with enthusiasm by Dr. Barber
Instructor
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