Synopsis
Explore Shakespeare through the lens of England itself, and discover how a national imagination shaped his work and the world around him.
This nonfiction study surveys the enduring ideas in Shakespeare about liberty, community, and the balance between individual conscience and social duty. Drawing on lectures from the British Academy, it situates the playwright within English life, landscapes, and cultural debate, offering a thoughtful view of how his plays reflect and critique his era.
- Examination of how Shakespeare depicted England’s country and city life, and what that reveals about national identity.
- Discussion of themes like honesty, hypocrisy, freedom, and responsibility as they appear across his plays.
- Contextual reflection on how European printing and literary culture shaped and redirected the arts and ideas of the time.
- Connections to ongoing debates about society, politics, and the role of the poet in public life.
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