Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, Hamlet,Macbeth and King Lear. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course explores three Shakespeare tragedies, Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear. Through close reading of Shakespeare’s language, and also drawing upon critical and historical sources, alongside performance clips, we will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; and family, gender and sexuality.
There will be a break week on 22.10.26.
What will we cover?
Allowing three weeks for each of the plays in turn, we will pay close attention to Shakespeare’s language, also drawing upon a range of critical and historical perspectives to help inform our understanding of the themes above. We will also compare aspects of the plays in performance. In her book ‘This is Shakespeare’, Emma Smith reminds us that Shakespeare’s plays “aren’t monuments to revere, or puzzles to resolve. They are partial, shifting survivals from a very different world which have the extraordinary ability to… stimulate our current concerns… we bring to the plays our own emotional, political, ideological and creative energies”. We will begin to explore something of that ‘very different world’ while also asking ourselves what lies behind the enduring resonance of these plays.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Have an increased understanding and appreciation of some of the wider themes and concerns of the plays.
Have an increased understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s language.
Have an increased understanding and appreciation of these plays in performance.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is open to all; you do not need to have prior knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays to participate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A variety of teaching methods will be used, including brief tutor-led slide presentations and readings of short extracts, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion. A digital handout of extracts will be shared with you shortly before the course starts, and paper copies will be provided on the day.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to buy or borrow your own copies of Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear in order to read the plays in full; the Arden Shakespeare (Third series) editions are recommended. Please bring a pen and paper for notetaking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other drama courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Sophie has taught Literature, Performing Arts and Interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities for over twenty years, working for the Open University, Leeds University, and a range of Adult Learning Institutions before joining City Lit. Previously she freelanced as a theatre and opera director in community theatre and at English National Opera. She has an MA in Nineteenth Century English and American Literature, and a PhD in Early Modern Life Writing. She brings both experience and enthusiasm to her work with adult audiences.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/shakespeare-hamlet-macbeth-king-lear3037615Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Learhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Drama22851177118711891228511771187<p>Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, <em>Hamlet,</em> <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>King Lear</em>. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.</p>003037594Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT194259259Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear207168259Sophie Oxenhamshakespeare-hamlet-macbeth-king-lear/hlt194-2627<p>Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, <em>Hamlet,</em> <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>King Lear</em>. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course explores three Shakespeare tragedies, <em>Hamlet, Macbeth</em> and<em> King Lear.</em> Through close reading of Shakespeare’s language, and also drawing upon critical and historical sources, alongside performance clips, we will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; and family, gender and sexuality.</p><p>There will be a break week on 22.10.26.</p><p>Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, <em>Hamlet,</em> <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>King Lear</em>. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.</p><p>Allowing three weeks for each of the plays in turn, we will pay close attention to Shakespeare’s language, also drawing upon a range of critical and historical perspectives to help inform our understanding of the themes above. We will also compare aspects of the plays in performance. In her book ‘This is Shakespeare’, Emma Smith reminds us that Shakespeare’s plays “aren’t monuments to revere, or puzzles to resolve. They are partial, shifting survivals from a very different world which have the extraordinary ability to… stimulate our current concerns… we bring to the plays our own emotional, political, ideological and creative energies”. We will begin to explore something of that ‘very different world’ while also asking ourselves what lies behind the enduring resonance of these plays. </p><ul><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of some of the wider themes and concerns of the plays.</li><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s language.</li><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of these plays in performance.</li></ul><p></p>The course is open to all; you do not need to have prior knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays to participate.<p>A variety of teaching methods will be used, including brief tutor-led slide presentations and readings of short extracts, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion. A digital handout of extracts will be shared with you shortly before the course starts, and paper copies will be provided on the day.</p><p>You will need to buy or borrow your own copies of Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear in order to read the plays in full; the Arden Shakespeare (Third series) editions are recommended. Please bring a pen and paper for notetaking.</p><p>Look for other drama courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureDramavirtual207259168HLT194NONEThu24/09/26 - 26/11/2610:30 - 12:3010:3012:309 sessions (over 10 weeks)95-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSophie OxenhamBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-24T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Shakespeare: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Learshakespeare-hamlet-macbeth-king-lear/hlt194-2627<p>Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, <em>Hamlet,</em> <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>King Lear</em>. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-24 00:00:00<p>This course explores three Shakespeare tragedies, <em>Hamlet, Macbeth</em> and<em> King Lear.</em> Through close reading of Shakespeare’s language, and also drawing upon critical and historical sources, alongside performance clips, we will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; and family, gender and sexuality.</p><p>There will be a break week on 22.10.26.</p><p>Join us to explore three of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, <em>Hamlet,</em> <em>Macbeth</em> and <em>King Lear</em>. We will consider how these plays explore questions of power, ambition, authority, and revenge; youth and old age; memory, grief, regret and madness; family, gender and sexuality.</p><p>Allowing three weeks for each of the plays in turn, we will pay close attention to Shakespeare’s language, also drawing upon a range of critical and historical perspectives to help inform our understanding of the themes above. We will also compare aspects of the plays in performance. In her book ‘This is Shakespeare’, Emma Smith reminds us that Shakespeare’s plays “aren’t monuments to revere, or puzzles to resolve. They are partial, shifting survivals from a very different world which have the extraordinary ability to… stimulate our current concerns… we bring to the plays our own emotional, political, ideological and creative energies”. We will begin to explore something of that ‘very different world’ while also asking ourselves what lies behind the enduring resonance of these plays. </p><ul><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of some of the wider themes and concerns of the plays.</li><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s language.</li><li>Have an increased understanding and appreciation of these plays in performance.</li></ul><p></p>The course is open to all; you do not need to have prior knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays to participate.<p>A variety of teaching methods will be used, including brief tutor-led slide presentations and readings of short extracts, and you will be invited to take part in group discussion. A digital handout of extracts will be shared with you shortly before the course starts, and paper copies will be provided on the day.</p><p>You will need to buy or borrow your own copies of Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear in order to read the plays in full; the Arden Shakespeare (Third series) editions are recommended. Please bring a pen and paper for notetaking.</p><p>Look for other drama courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureDramaconfigurable
11891187Dramahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/drama-plays-and-players1/2/285/1177/1187/11891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Drama
