The Renaissance
by John Addington Symonds The Renaissance RENAISSANCE—The “Renaissance” or “Renascence” is a term used to indicate a well-known but indefinite space of time and a certain phase in the development of Europe. On the...
Tagged: shakespeare
William Shakespeare Biography
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564–1616), English poet, player and playwright, was baptized in the parish church of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire on the 26th of April 1564. The exact date of his birth is not known. Birth...
Charles Lamb Biography
Charles Lamb, a British author and critic, is especially remembered for his Essays of Elia and Tales from Shakespeare, co-authored with his sister Mary.
April Poems
April poems, spring poems — there are so many that it’s not easy to choose just a few to feature here. For now, I’ve chosen to offer just a few; we will add or...
Shakespeare Resources
Why do William Shakespeare’s plays still touch us today? This Renaissance playwright, poet, and actor had a unique way with words and a timeless grasp of human nature. His works are considered to be...
The Seven Ages of Man
“All the World’s a Stage:” the Seven Ages of Man monologue from As You Like It by William Shakespeare All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They...
Ian McKellen Analyzes a Shakespearean Soliloquy
How should a soliloquy be performed? It starts with reading thoughtfully and with understanding; then thinking about the text and what the audience will need to understand. In this clip from British television, c....
The Medieval Synthesis and the Discovery of Man by Steven Kreis
The Medieval Synthesis and the Discovery of Man: The Renaissance Lecture 4: From The History Guide by Dr. Steven Kreis Living, I despise what melancholy fate has brought us wretches in these evil years. Long before...
Julius Caesar Video Resources
Shakespeare was, of course, a master of the written word. It’s precisely because of this, though, that people forget that much of his work was originally meant to be performed, not merely read. Sometimes...
King Lear video excerpt
When studying a play, you should always watch it rather than just reading the text. Better still, watch more than one version, then try acting out a few scenes with your family or class....
King Lear Video of Stage Performance
This King Lear stage clip includes the first 15 minutes of Trinity Theatre Company’s production of “King Lear”, directed by Francesca Gilpin and starring Michael Elliot in the title role. You can follow along...
Tchaikovsky’s Tempest Overture
Tchaikovsky and Shakespeare One of the most influential composers of the 19th century and the first Russian composer to achieve lasting international fame, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is best known today for his ballets Swan...
Level E4 Resource Updates
British Literature Updates Due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet, online resources sometimes move unexpectedly to new addresses. Here are the most recent updates for Level 4: British Literature. Remember, you can always type...
Caesar artwork
These works of art may help you visualize the setting and characters of Julius Caesar. Click on an image to see it in a larger size.
Honors Texts for British Literature
Honors Texts for British Literature (E4) The Honors Track for British Literature is outlined in the study guide and involves additional reading and writing and an optional exam. Another way you can use the honors texts is if you’ve...
Honors Texts for Literature and Composition
Honors Texts for Literature and Composition (E2) The Honors Track for Literature and Composition involves additional reading and writing, which is described in the study guide. Another way you can use the honors texts is if you’ve already read...
Honors Texts for Introduction to Literature
The Honors Track for Introduction to Literature involves additional reading and writing, which is described in the study guide. Another way you can use the honors texts is if you’ve already read a focus text for...
Mark Antony’s Funeral Oration for Julius Caesar Text
Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene II by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) ANTONY Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after...
Caliban upon Setebos by Robert Browning
CALIBAN UPON SETEBOS OR, NATURAL THEOLOGY IN THE ISLAND by Robert Browning from Browning’s Shorter Poems: Selected and Edited by Franklin Baker, Professor of English in Teachers College, Columbia University. Fourth edition, The Macmillan...
Mark Antony’s Funeral Oration Video
Mark Antony – Funeral Oration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (Act III, Scene II) Performed by Nick Baldasare “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears . . .”. Is there anyone who hasn’t heard Mark...
Robert Browning Poetry
Robert Browning Poetry Robert Browning (1812-1889) was an English poet, known for his dramatic verse. Considered one of the foremost poets of the Victorian era, Browning was born the same year as Charles Dickens....
Poetry by Shakespeare’s Contemporaries
In Shakespeare’s time, the fields of art and science were blossoming. Here are a few poems by Shakespeare contemporaries, including Sidney and Marlowe.
