When we first meet the Nurse in Act 1 Sc 3, Lady Capulet dismisses her because she wants to ‘talk in secret’ to her daughter. However, she instantly changes her mind and calls the Nurse back. Perhaps she knows the Nurse is far more likely to influence Juliet. In context, the Nurse would have played […]
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Banquo – Mr Nice Guy? Banquo, I admit, is a character I have never considered in much detail – any notes, character profiles of him simply present him as loyal, sensible etc. He is Macbeth’s friend, Duncan’s supporter, a sort of all-round good guy who is horribly betrayed and murdered by his bezzie. Rarely is […]
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We asked some of our authors and experts to share their hints and tips for teaching Shakespeare. Here’s a round-up of the top five classroom activities and ideas: Start by admitting Shakespeare is ‘difficult’ and everyone is on unfamiliar ground with the language. Make it relevant – encourage discussions about Iagos in the playground and […]
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Recently I was asked to undertake some work with students who were studying Shakespeare for a Literature essay. I asked for a copy of the key scenes they were studying and was handed a wad of photocopies which took me straight back to my early teaching career in the 1990s. I’m all for retro, vintage, […]
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Romeo and Juliet was written during the 1590s and was first performed in 1597 in London. We know that Romeo and Juliet has an enduring appeal for audiences – as the title page of the play’s 1597 edition tells us, the play was, even then, a popular success “…it hath been often (with great applause) […]
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