May 24, 2023

It's our final episode of our series on A Midsummer Night's Dream! As always, we watch multiple productions of the play and share our thoughts. 

Join us as we discuss 1999's film version directed by Michael Hoffman which features a star-studded cast and incredible scenery alongside the National Theatre's 2019 production...

Apr 26, 2023

In today's episode, we take a closer look at how climate change affected early modern England--especially during the Little Ice Age, a period of global cooling that occurred from the 16th to the 19th century. We explore how this environmental phenomenon influenced the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries,...

Mar 29, 2023

In this episode, we explore Shakespeare's use of political satire within the pastoral comedy genre, focusing on A Midsummer Night's Dream. The pastoral genre, which originated in ancient Greek literature, involves stories set in a rustic, rural world that idealizes the simplicity and harmony of nature. During the...

Mar 1, 2023

At the heart of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is a fantastical world of fairies, magic, and mythical creatures, and in this episode, we explore the different influences that helped to shape this world.

First up, we look at the rich tradition of English fairy folklore, which was still very much a part...

Feb 1, 2023

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of topics that may not be suitable for all audiences. Please listen with care. 

In this episode, we explore the depictions of sex and sexuality in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. While this play (and many of Shakespeare's comedies) end with a hetero-normative...