A literary journey through Shakespeare’s works and their relevance today.

Course Contents

Shakespeare’s Themes and Historical Context

This section provides an overview of Shakespeare’s most important works, including Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear. Students will analyze central themes such as power, betrayal, fate, and identity, understanding how these ideas were shaped by the social and political context of Elizabethan England. The course also covers Shakespeare’s poetic techniques, including iambic pentameter, soliloquies, and dramatic irony.

Shakespeare’s Influence on Literature and Theater

Students will explore how Shakespeare’s plays continue to influence literature, film, and stage productions. The course examines adaptations such as West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet), The Lion King (Hamlet), and 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew). Discussions will focus on how directors reinterpret Shakespeare for modern audiences and how the themes remain relevant across cultures and time periods.

Shakespeare in the Digital Age

In the final section, students will examine how Shakespeare’s works are being reimagined in the digital age. Topics include online performances, AI-generated Shakespearean dialogue, and social media adaptations. The course will also investigate how Shakespeare’s language is taught in contemporary education and whether new forms of storytelling, such as virtual reality and interactive theater, can redefine how audiences engage with classic works.

Tutors

Sofia Ivanova

Dr. – Literature & Shakespearean Studies
Dr. Ivanova is a literary scholar with a passion for Shakespearean drama and its impact on modern storytelling. She has lectured at universities across Europe and published research on historical context in Elizabethan theater. She holds a PhD in English Literature from Oxford University.
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