The Shakespeare & Beyond blog features a wide range of Shakespeare-related topics: the early modern period in which he lived, the ways his plays have been interpreted and staged over the past four centuries, the enduring power of his characters and language, and more.
Shakespeare & Beyond
Shakespeare & Beyond also explores the topics that shape our experience of Shakespeare today: trends in performance, the latest discoveries and scholarship, news stories, pop culture, interesting books, new movies, the rich context of theater and literary history, and more. As the word “beyond” suggests, from time to time Shakespeare & Beyond also covers topics that are not directly linked to Shakespeare.
Questions or comments? You can reach us at shakespeareandbeyond@folger.edu.
5 things to look for when you watch Twelfth Night
Shakespeare and Beyond
5 things to look for when you watch Twelfth Night
We ask a few of our favorite Shakespeareans what you should keep an eye out for when you watch Twelfth Night.
Birds of Shakespeare: The loon
Shakespeare and Beyond
Birds of Shakespeare: The loon
The loon appears just once in Shakespeare’s plays, in a line from Macbeth.
Quiz: Hamlet or Polonius?
Shakespeare and Beyond
Quiz: Hamlet or Polonius?
Who said it: Hamlet or Polonius? Test your knowledge of these well-known lines from Hamlet.
Excerpt: "Anne-thology: Poems Re-Presenting Anne Shakespeare"
Shakespeare and Beyond
Excerpt: "Anne-thology: Poems Re-Presenting Anne Shakespeare"
Read four poems from a newly published collection that marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife.
Not simply Shakespeare's wife: Marking the 400th anniversary of Anne Hathaway's death with poetry
Shakespeare and Beyond
Not simply Shakespeare's wife: Marking the 400th anniversary of Anne Hathaway's death with poetry
The editors of a new collection of poetry about Anne Hathaway share their take on her life and why she deserves a book of her own.
Shakespeare and gaming in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"
Shakespeare and Beyond
Shakespeare and gaming in "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"
Austin Tichenor reflects on the Shakespeare allusions and storytelling world in Gabrielle Zevin’s bestselling novel.
Advice from the players: 10 great actors on performing Shakespeare
Shakespeare and Beyond
Advice from the players: 10 great actors on performing Shakespeare
Read a few favorite quotes from actors who joined us on our Shakespeare Unlimited podcast, including the late Glenda Jackson, Adrian Lester, and Sir Ian McKellen.
Excerpt: "Shakespeare's tutor: The influence of Thomas Kyd"
Shakespeare and Beyond
Excerpt: "Shakespeare's tutor: The influence of Thomas Kyd"
Learn more about authorship and influence among the playwrights of Shakespeare’s day in this excerpt from a recent book by Darren Freebury-Jones.
Birds of Shakespeare: The seagull
Shakespeare and Beyond
Birds of Shakespeare: The seagull
The word “gull” is used twelve times in Shakespeare’s plays, appearing the most in Twelfth Night, a play full of pranks and hijinks.
Quiz: Stage directions in Shakespeare plays
Shakespeare and Beyond
Quiz: Stage directions in Shakespeare plays
“He exits, pursued by a bear.” Take our quiz to match stage directions like this one with the Shakespeare plays in which they appear.
All things Shakespearean
Shakespeare and Beyond
All things Shakespearean
Dynastic power struggles, political intrigue, and forbidden love: Austin Tichenor looks at “Shakespearean” as a popular cultural shorthand.
Excerpt: "King Lear: Shakespeare's Dark Consolations"
Shakespeare and Beyond
Excerpt: "King Lear: Shakespeare's Dark Consolations"
“King Lear is about insiders who with terrible suddenness are shoved outside, and what they learn or don’t learn from finding themselves positioned there,” writes Arthur Frank.