The Heart of It

Summary

As You Like It and A Midsummer Night' s Dream are two comedies by William Shakespeare that have been entertaining audiences for centuries. Both have been adapted to radio and film and continue to be taught in high schools and universities. But as with most of Shakespeare' s works, modern audiences sometimes need some help absorbing elements of both plays.

In a series of lectures, literary scholar Elizabeth McNamer provides engaging insights into these two Shakespeare classics. Dr. McNamer begins with a focus on the love story of Orlando and Rosalind and how As You Like It spoofs conventional literary themes of love. McNamer then focuses on the themes of jealousy, imagination, patriarchy, and the many difficulties of love in A Midsummer Night' s Dream. While these lectures are grounded in scholarly research, they are also accessible for contemporary audiences, helping them appreciate more fully these two great theatrical works.