Shakespeare
Shakespeare Research Sources
Shakespeare's Life
"William Shakespeare" [4 minutes] - Animated video overview of Shakespeare's biography and works, hosted by a cartoon man and a cartoon robot.
William Shakespeare Mini-Biography [5 minutes] - A video from bio.com.
5 Little-Known Facts About Shakespeare [3 minutes] - A video from bio.com
William Shakespeare: The Life of the Bard [1 minute] - A video overview of his life and accomplishments from bio.com.
Learn English from The British Council [Look below each video for a short quiz or activities]
Stratford, Part 1: Shakespeare, Glove Maker [5 minutes]
Stratford, Part 2: The Lost Years [5 minutes]
London, Part 1: Piece by Piece [5 minutes]
London, Part 2: A Penny for the Yard [5 minutes]
Learn English for Kids from the British Council [Look below the video for a short activity or quiz.]
Who was William Shakespeare? [3 minutes, animated]
Shakespeare's Life and Times by The Royal Shakespeare Company
Standard Deviants by PBS - Available in the CHS Library
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
Shakespeare's Will from Exploring Shakespeare
William Shakespeare from Gale InContext
William Shakespeare from UXL Biographies
William Shakespeare from Authors and Artists for Young Adults
William Shakespeare from the Encyclopedia of World Biography
Encyclopedia Britannica - Search for Shakespeare in the Encyclopedia Britannica for an extensive article on his life, works, controversies, and modern critiques.
Shakespeare's World
"Shakespeare's Stage" [4 minutes] by Shmoop
Learn English from The British Council presents
London, Part 1: Piece by Piece [5 minutes]
London, Part 2: A Penny for the Yard [5 minutes]
Encyclopedia Britannica - Search for Shakespeare in the Encyclopedia Britannica for an extensive article on his life, works, controversies, and modern critiques. Search for "United Kingdom," then use the "Find" function [CTRL+F] to jump to "Elizabethan" for an extensive history of Elizabethan England.
"The Globe Theater is Constructed, 1599" This article places the building of the Globe Theater in a fuller context of other world events, as well as the London theatrical and entertainment scene.
Short overview articles by Gale InContext
Exploring Shakespeare (e-book) Articles about Shakespeare's plays and their historical context. Many of these articles are in-depth and written at a sophisticated level. Some subject highlights are below.
Elizabethan World Reference Library (e-book) Provides background and information on the culture and history of the Elizabethan period, biographies of significant men and women of the time, and primary sources that represent some of the most significant and studied documents of the era. Articles include The Elizabethan Court, Philosophy and Science in the Elizabethan Era, Daily Life in the Elizabethan Era, Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Era, and Elizabethan Sports. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Shakespeare for Students (e-book)
Collection of essays on each play and the sonnets by Shakespeare scholars. Each entry includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the work's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; a conversation about the work's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Shakespeare's Restless World from the British Museum and BBC 4 (podcasts)
These 15-minute audio podcasts illustrate a single aspect of Shakespeare's world through the lens of a single object. For instance, street violence, theatre-goers snack foods, plague artifacts, political artifacts and more.
Shakespeare's Works and Themes
"William Shakespeare" [4 minutes] - Animated video overview of Shakespeare's biography and works, hosted by a cartoon man and a cartoon robot.
"Shakespeare's Stage" [4 minutes] by Shmoop
3-Panel Shakespeare - Every Shakespeare play, in three comic panels each.
Download all Plays for FREE - Folger Shakespeare Library has made all plays downloadable for free, with XML, HTML, PDF, DOC, and TXT files available.
The Folger Shakespeare Library - A wide variety of resources for teaching Shakespeare, including lesson plans, primary source, videos and more. View the resources play-by-play.
Royal Shakespeare Company - The RSC primarily produces stage productions of the plays, but also works to educate students and the public about William Shakespeare, his life and times, and the plays. Find teacher resources, articles about Shakespearean language, his life and times, and resources by play.
Encyclopedia Britannica - Search for Shakespeare in the Encyclopedia Britannica for an extensive article on his life, works, controversies, and modern critiques.
Shakespeare for Students (e-book)
Collection of essays on each play and the sonnets by Shakespeare scholars. Each entry includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the work's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; a conversation about the work's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Shmoop - Short, snarky animated educational videos.
"Features of a Shakespearean Tragedy" [3 minutes]
"Shakespeare and Revenge" [3 minutes]
Shakespeare on Love" [3 minutes]
Digital Scans of the First Folio, from the Bodleian Library - The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford has scanned the First Folio and made it available online. The library was originally founded in 1602, and has many rare books and manuscripts on its shelves. The building itself was used as the library in the Harry Potter films.
Understanding Shakespeare with JSTOR - The famed Folger Shakespeare Library has teamed up with JSTOR to create this experimental portal; pick any line from any play and instantly see scholarly articles referencing it.
Standard Deviants by PBS - Available in the CHS Library
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
"What is Tragedy?" episode
Shakespeare's Language
"Insults by Shakespeare" [6 minutes] - Animated lesson on Shakespeare's use of language.
"The History of English - Chapter 3: Shakespeare" [1 minute] - Animated video on the influence of Shakespearean language on modern English.
"Shakespeare's Dating Tips" [2 minutes] - Video from TED Ed about Shakespearean language. Includes multiple-choice questions and discussion prompts.
"Why Shakespeare Loved Iambic Pentameter" [5 minutes] - Video from TED Ed about iambic pentameter. Includes multiple-choice questions and discussion prompts.
"How Shakespeare Influences the Way we Speak Now" from BBC - A short article that discusses common words or phrases with a Shakespearean origin.
Shakespeare's Sonnets
Shakespeare's Sonnets from Crash Course Videos [12 minutes]
The Sonnets of William Shakespeare - Links to all of the sonnets, by PoemHunter.com. Includes a brief biography, and the ability to browse or search all of the sonnets.
Macbeth
Documentaries / Movies:
"Macbeth" [Roman Polanski] - Available in the CHS Library
"Macbeth" [Patrick Stewart] - Available in the CHS Library
"Macbeth" [Michael Fassbender] - Available in the CHS Library
Standard Deviants - Available in the CHS Library Episodes include:
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
"What is Tragedy?" episode
"Macbeth Basics" episode
"The Characters of Macbeth" episode
"Macbeth" episode from Shakespeare Uncovered by PBS - Available in the CHS Library - Combines interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most-celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays staged specially for the series at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Short Videos:
Shmoop - Short, snarky animated educational videos.
"Macbeth" [3 minutes]
"Macbeth Summary" [4 minutes]
Learn English from the British Council [Look below each video for a short quiz or activities.]
Lady Macbeth Part 1: Top Dog [4 minutes]
Lady Macbeth Part 2: Unchecked Ambition [4 minutes]
Learn English for Kids from the British Council [Look below the video for a short activity or quiz]
Macbeth [3 minutes, animated]
"Macbeth Rap" from Flocabulary [5 minutes]
"Macbeth" from The Simpsons [5 minutes], Season 20, Episode 20 - Homer stars in "Macbeth"
Audio:
Shakespeare's Restless World from the British Museum and BBC 4
These 15-minute audio podcasts illustrate a single aspect of Shakespeare's world through the lens of a single object. For instance, street violence, theatre-goers snack foods, plague artifacts, political artifacts and more.
"The Flag that Failed" creating a new flag combining the English and Scottish flags. [15 minutes]
"Toil and Trouble" Witchcraft in England and Scotland. [15 minutes]
Macbeth Audiobook by Arkangel - Available in the CHS Library
Macbeth Audiobook by L.A. TheaterWorks - Available in the CHS Library
Websites:
Royal Shakespeare Company - Macbeth Learning Zone, including short summaries on themes and modern connections.
Shmoop - A variety of resources on Macbeth, including summaries, analysis, characters, themes, flashcards, quizzes and more.
Macbeth by The Folger Shakespeare Library - A wide variety of resources for teaching Shakespeare, including lesson plans, primary source, videos and more.
Articles:
The Historical Context of Macbeth from Exploring Shakespeare
Macbeth and Witchcraft from Exploring Shakespeare
Macbeth from Shakespeare for Students (e-book) Includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the Macbeth's 's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; Macbeth's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Macbeth from Literature and Its Times (e-book) - Provides in-depth commentary on characters, themes, and the historical and social context. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Elizabethan World Reference Library (e-book)
Provides background and information on the culture and history of the Elizabethan period, biographies of significant men and women of the time, and primary sources that represent some of the most significant and studied documents of the era. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Artemis Literary Sources Search literary criticisms, biographies, work overviews, reviews, news, and primary sources. All articles include citations and can be exported directly to your Google Drive!
Books:
Folger Shakespeare Library has made all plays downloadable for free, with XML, HTML, PDF, DOC, and TXT files available.
The following fiction books, spin-offs and remixes are available in the CHS Library:
Macbeth [graphic novel] from Manga Shakespeare (graphic novel)
Macbeth [graphic novel] by Gareth Hinds (graphic novel)
Brick Shakespeare [LEGO] by Monica Sweeney
Macbeth #killingit [texts and emoji] by Courtney Carbone
As I Descended [modern private school] by Robin Talley
Romeo & Juliet
Documentaries / Movies:
"Romeo and Juliet" [1968] - Available in the CHS Library
"William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" [1996] - Available in the CHS Library
"Romeo and Juliet" [2013] - Available in the CHS Library
"West Side Story" - Available in the CHS Library
"Gnomeo and Juliet" [not available at CHS] trailer
"Romeo and Juliet" episode from Shakespeare Uncovered by PBS - Available in the CHS Library Combines interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most-celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays staged specially for the series at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Standard Deviants by PBS - Available in the CHS Library Episodes include:
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
"What is Tragedy?" episode
"Romeo and Juliet" episode
Short Videos:
"Romeo and Juliet Part 1: Of Pentameter and Bear-Baiting" [13 minutes]
"Romeo and Juliet Part 2: Love or Lust?" [10 minutes]
Shmoop - Short, snarky animated educational videos.
"Romeo and Juliet" [2 minutes]
"Romeo and Juliet Summary" [4 minutes]
Learn English from the British Council [Look below each video for a short quiz or activities.]
Juliet Part 1: Falling in Love [4 minutes]
Juliet Part 2: Funny, Feisty and Determined [5 minutes]
Learn English for Kids from the British Council [Look below the video for a short activity or quiz]
Romeo and Juliet [3 minutes, animated]
Audio:
Shakespeare's Restless World from the British Museum and BBC 4
These 15-minute audio podcasts illustrate a single aspect of Shakespeare's world through the lens of a single object. For instance, street violence, theatre-goers snack foods, plague artifacts, political artifacts and more.
"Swordplay and Swagger" Street violence in London. [15 minutes]
"Romeo and Juliet" Audiobook by Arkangel - Available in the CHS Library
Websites:
Royal Shakespeare Company - Resources on Romeo and Juliet, including short summaries on themes and modern connections. Also "Shakespeare's Sources" - Romeo and Juliet is far from original.
Shmoop - A variety of resources on Romeo and Juliet, including summaries, analysis, characters, themes, flashcards, quizzes and more.
Romeo and Juliet by The Folger Shakespeare Library - A wide variety of resources for teaching Shakespeare, including lesson plans, primary source, videos and more.
"Romeo and Juliet" from Shakespeare for Students (e-book) Includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the work's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; a conversation about the work's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
"Romeo and Juliet" from Literature and Its Times (e-book) In-depth commentary on characters, themes, and the historical and social context. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Elizabethan World Reference Library (e-book)
Provides background and information on the culture and history of the Elizabethan period, biographies of significant men and women of the time, and primary sources that represent some of the most significant and studied documents of the era. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Artemis Literary Sources - Search literary criticisms, biographies, work overviews, reviews, news, and primary sources. All articles include citations and can be exported directly to your Google Drive!
"Afghanistan's Romeo and Juliet" from NYT Upfront, September 4, 2017 - Short article and worksheets. quizzes, etc.
Download all Plays for FREE - Folger Shakespeare Library has made all plays downloadable for free, with XML, HTML, PDF, DOC, and TXT files available.
The following fiction books, spin-offs and remixes are available in the CHS Library:
YOLO Juliet [text and emoji] by Brett Wright
Still Star-Crossed [after the curtain falls] by Melinda Taub
Romiette and Julio [modern urban tale] by Sharon Draper
When You Were Mine [Rosaline's POV] by Rebecca Serle
Shame the Stars [set in Texas, 1915] by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Brick Shakespeare [LEGO version] by Monica Sweeney
Romeo and Juliet [graphic novel] from Manga Shakespeare
The Most Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet [graphic novel] by Gareth Hinds
Warm Bodies [zombies] by Isaac Marion
Stories of other "Star-Crossed Lovers":
Vendetta by Catherine Doyle
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkles
The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love in Afghanistan by Atia Abawi
Othello
Documentaries / Movies:
Othello [Rated R] - Available in the CHS Library
"O" [Rated R] - Available in the CHS Library
Standard Deviants - Available in the CHS Library Episodes include:
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
"What is Tragedy?" episode
"Othello as Tragedy" episode
"Othello Basics" episode
"Othello" episode from Shakespeare Uncovered by PBS- Available in the CHS Library - Combines interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most-celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays staged specially for the series at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
"When the Moors Ruled Europe" A long (1:45) documentary about the Moors in Europe.
Short Videos:
Venice and the Ottoman Empire [10 minutes] from Crash Course World History
Shmoop - Short, snarky animated educational videos.
"Othello" [2 minutes]
"Othello Summary" [4 minutes]
Audio:
Shakespeare's Restless World from the British Museum and BBC 4
These 15-minute audio podcasts illustrate a single aspect of Shakespeare's world through the lens of a single object. For instance, street violence, theatre-goers snack foods, plague artifacts, political artifacts and more.
"From London to Marrakech" This episode focused on the Moors and their complicated relationship with England [15 minutes]
Othello Audiobook by Arkangel - Available in the CHS Library
Othello Audiobook - Available in the CHS Library
Websites:
Othello by Royal Shakespeare Company - including famous quotes, history and more. The Othello Learning Zone includes short summaries, characters, language and staging. "Shakespeare's Sources" by includes the earlier stories and events that inspired the play.
Shmoop - A variety of resources on Othello, including summaries, analysis, characters, themes, flashcards, quizzes and more.
Othello by The Folger Shakespeare Library A wide variety of resources for teaching Shakespeare, including lesson plans, primary source, videos and more.
Articles:
"Othello" from Shakespeare for Students (e-book) Includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the work's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; a conversation about the work's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
"Othello" from Literature and Its Times (e-book) In-depth commentary on characters, themes, and the historical and social context. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Elizabethan World Reference Library (e-book) Provides background and information on the culture and history of the Elizabethan period, biographies of significant men and women of the time, and primary sources that represent some of the most significant and studied documents of the era. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Artemis Literary Sources Search literary criticisms, biographies, work overviews, reviews, news, and primary sources. All articles include citations and can be exported directly to your Google Drive!
The Tale of the Three Apples from A Thousand and One Nights
A story of crime, blood and gore! One night, Caliph Harun al-Rashid finds a chest containing the dead body of a girl, cut into no less than 19 pieces. The murderer is found and tells his story: Misled by a slave, he killed the girl (his wife) in a fit of rage over her alleged unfaithfulness, which he later finds out to be groundless.
Books:
The following fiction books, spin-offs and remixes are available in the CHS Library:
Othello [graphic novel] by Manga Shakespeare
Download all Plays for FREE Folger Shakespeare Library has made all plays downloadable for free, with XML, HTML, PDF, DOC, and TXT files available.
Hamlet
Documentaries / Movies:
"Hamlet" [Kenneth Branaugh] - Available in the CHS Library
"Hamlet" [Mel Gibson] - Available in the CHS Library
"Hamlet" [Ethan Hawke] - Available in the CHS Library
Standard Deviants - Available in the CHS Library Episodes include:
"Introduction to Shakespeare" episode
"What is Tragedy?" episode
"Hamlet Basics" episode
"Hamlet Themes" episode
"Hamlet" episode from Shakespeare Uncovered by PBS - Available in the CHS Library Combines interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most-celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays staged specially for the series at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Disney's The Lion King [not available at CHS]
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead [not available at CHS]
Short Videos:
Hamlet Part 1: Ghosts, Murder and More Murder [12 minutes]
Hamlet Part 2: Ophelia, Gertrude and Regicide [11 minutes]
Oedipus Rex: Fate, Family and Oedipus Rex [13 minutes]
Shmoop - Short, snarky animated educational videos.
Learn English from the British Council [Look below each video for a short quiz or activities.]
Learn English for Kids from the British Council [Look below the video for a short activity or quiz.]
Hamlet [3 minutes, animated]
Hamlet Mash-up [14 minutes] (f-word at 8:50 and 13:50) clips of Hamlet lines and references from 198 movies and television shows
"Hamlet" on Monsterpiece Theater from Sesame Street [5 minutes]
"Hamlet" on The Simpsons [5 minutes], Season 13, Episode 14
"Green Eggs and Hamlet" by Mike O'Neil, 1995 [not available online]
Audio:
Hamlet Audiobook by Arkangel - Available in the CHS Library
Hamlet Audiobook by L.A. TheaterWorks - Available in the CHS Library
Websites:
Royal Shakespeare Company - Resources on Hamlet, including short summaries on themes and modern connections.
Shmoop - A variety of resources on Hamlet, including summaries, analysis, characters, themes, flashcards, quizzes and more.
Hamlet from The Folger Shakespeare Library A wide variety of resources for teaching Shakespeare, including lesson plans, primary source, videos and more.
Articles:
Actors Have Been Dying to Play Yorick [donating your skull to become a prop]
Hamlet from Shakespeare for Students (e-book) Includes an introduction; a plot synopsis; a character list; a discussion of the work's principal themes; information about the style and literary devices used; a conversation about the work's historical context; and a critical overview. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Hamlet from Literature and Its Times (e-book) In-depth commentary on characters, themes, and the historical and social context. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Elizabethan World Reference Library (e-book) Provides background and information on the culture and history of the Elizabethan period, biographies of significant men and women of the time, and primary sources that represent some of the most significant and studied documents of the era. All articles include citations and can be downloaded directly to your Google Drive!
Artemis Literary Sources Search literary criticisms, biographies, work overviews, reviews, news, and primary sources. All articles include citations and can be exported directly to your Google Drive!
Books:
Folger Shakespeare Library has made all plays downloadable for free, with XML, HTML, PDF, DOC, and TXT files available.
The following fiction books, spin-offs and remixes are available in the CHS Library:
Hamlet [graphic novel] from Manga Shakespeare
Brick Shakespeare [LEGO] by Monica Sweeney
srsly Hamlet [texts and emoji] by Courtney Carbone
Something Rotten [kid detective] by Allen M. Gratz
The Steep and Thorny Way [1920's Oregon] by Cat Winters
A Wounded Name [modern private school] by Dot Huchison