Best Williamshakespeare Podcasts (2024)

1
Romeo and Juliet: Wrap Up 58:18

9d ago58:18

58:18

It's hard to believe it is finally here, but we are wrapping up our Romeo and Juliet series this week by watching and discussing two productions. First, we will discuss Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the title roles. Then, we will move into the National Theatre at Home p…

1
Oresteian Hamlet With Dr. Earl Showerman 1:44:23

4h ago1:44:23

1:44:23

Steven welcomes Dr. Earl Showerman back to the series to discuss the ancient Greek sources and topical allusions of Elizabethan politics found within English literature's greatest work of drama. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming a Patron at http://www.patreon.co…

1
Mini: Shakespeare for Autistic Individuals: The Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter, MBE 49:13

24m ago49:13

49:13

In today's episode, we are joined in discussion with Kelly Hunter, MBE, to discuss her work producting Shakespeare for autistic audiences. We will discuss Kelly's professional journey that led her from working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and on the West End to founding The Flute Theatre and developing the Hunter Heartb…

1
Shakespeare: Creator of Free Masonry 1:03:22

3d ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Steven takes a deep dive into the work and research of Alfred Dodd (1933) and others who have studied and written about Shakespeare's connection to the rites and rituals of Freemasonry. Dodd's book, "Shakespeare: Creator of Free Masonry," laid the foundation for Masons to fully claim Shakespeare as one of their own. Support the show by picking up o…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Feuds, Vendettas, and Duels 42:17

1M ago42:17

42:17

In today's episode, we are exploring the historical context for the family feud and violence between the Capulets and Montagues in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We'll briefly revisit the history of medieval bloodfeuds that we examined in our episodes on Macbeth, then we will dive into the pratices of vendettas and dueling in the Italian r…

1
The 'Heretic' Queen of Literary Taboo 1:24:36

21d ago1:24:36

1:24:36

Journalist and author, Elizabeth Winkler, returns to the series to look back at the global reactions to her book, "Shakespeare Was A Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature." She and Steven discuss critiques and praise for the book, additions to the coming paperback edition, and hints about what Elizab…

1
Mini: Ben Jonson, Shakespeare's Colleague and Competitor 26:20

28d ago26:20

26:20

In today's episode, we are exploring the life and works of one of Shakespeare's contemporaries: Ben Jonson. Often called "Shakespeare's rival," Ben Jonson was an early modern actor turned playwright who came from humble beginnings to achieve success on the London stages. We'll dive into the parallels between Shakespeare and Jonson's lives, and we'l…

1
The Art of Collaboration and Commitment 1:34:04

2M ago1:34:04

1:34:04

Steven shares behind-the-scenes details and insights into the many collaborators and facets behind producing a major theatrical event such as "William Shakespeare, Esquire" and the Brittle Glory Marathon at the Guthrie Theater. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming …

1
Romeo & Juliet: Teenagerdom in Shakespeare's Time 49:01

2M ago49:01

49:01

In today's episode, we will be discussing what is was like to be a teenager in Shakespeare's time, and how we can see early modern teenagerdom represented in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. We will build on our previous explorations of the early modern understanding of age and youth from our episodes on girlhood and manhood, then dive into the lived …

1
Shakespeare's Muses: A Measure for the Ladies 2:08:03

2M ago2:08:03

2:08:03

Steven welcomes globally renowned engineer and music composer, Luis Sousa, back to the series to discuss the importance of the muse to the creative process and the five female muses found within the Shakespeare canon. Recorded March 8, International Women's Day, this episode pays tribute to the ladies who helped shape the Bard's life and his works.…

1
Mini: Staging Violence in Shakespeare with Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt 36:44

2M ago36:44

36:44

In today's episode, we are joined by Dr. Danielle Rosvally and Sydney Schwindt to discuss how fight choreographers approach staging moments of violence in theatre, specifically in Shakespeare's plays. We will discuss how they collaborate with directors and actors to safely depict violence on stage, the state of the fight direction community, and ho…

1
Bard Battle of the Sexes 1:39:59

2M ago1:39:59

1:39:59

Steven and his wife, Annie, discuss the complexities of the relationship between Kate and Petruchio in "The Taming of the Shrew," and why that play carries such a strong level of love/hate reactions with modern actors and audiences. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and beco…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Courtship and Marriage in Shakespeare's Time 43:32

2M ago43:32

43:32

In today's episode, we will be diving into the culture of courtship and marriage in early modern England. We will take a look at how the cultural norms and concerns surrounding marriage were shifting and changing in Shakespeare's time and how we can see this represented in Romeo and Juliet. We will also discuss how, at least in some parts of Englan…

1
Christopher Marlowe: Gay, Atheist, Spy, & Shakespeare? 1:07:42

3M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Steven welcomes novelist, playwright, director Ted Bacino to this episode to discuss his novel and script of the same name, "The Shakespeare Conspiracy." Together, they explore some mysterious details surrounding the life and recorded death of Christopher Marlowe and certain theories that Marlowe was involved in writing the works of Shakespeare. Su…

1
Mini: Shakespeare and Petrarch 19:39

4M ago19:39

19:39

In today's episode, we will be continuing our series on Shakespeare's Language Framework and our Shakespeare's Sources by taking a closer look at Petrarch. First, we will dive into the biography of Francesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch in English, the 14th century poet who had a huge influence on European humanism, the Renaissance, an…

1
Learning From Monstrous Adversaries 1:32:52

4M ago1:32:52

1:32:52

Steven welcomes New Zealander Dean Bradley from the Antipodes to discuss his foray into the world of debate with the Oxfraudsters; how he approached the fray; what he gleaned from the exchange; and a new theory he has developed regarding the Shakespeare Authorship Mystery. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandis…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Patriarchy, Masculinity, and Honor 51:10

4M ago51:10

51:10

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of early modern masculinity, patriarchy, and honor as we dissect Shakespeare's iconic play, Romeo and Juliet. Our discussion begins with the examination of the expectations placed upon men during the early modern period and how those pressures are reflected in Shakespeare's play – the embodiment …

1
Romeo and Juliet: Stuff to Chew On 28:55

5M ago28:55

28:55

To kick off our series on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, we are (as always) starting with an overview of basic facts about the play and an introduction to the major themes and motifs of the play. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instagra…

1
5 Year Anniversary! 1:47:28

5M ago1:47:28

1:47:28

Steven and Jake sit down to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of Don't Quill the Messenger! They read listener reviews and emails, share most popular episodes, talk about the future of the podcast, the quiller event, project and show ideas and so much more. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquil…

1
Romeo and Juliet: Synopsis 1:28:13

5M ago1:28:13

1:28:13

It's time for a new play, which means a new synopsis! We are diving into Romeo and Juliet today, and we will be breaking down this play scene by scene. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Special thanks to Nat Yonce for guest-editing this episode. Episode written by Elyse Sharp and Kourtney Smith. Music is…

1
Italian Sources 1:42:38

5M ago1:42:38

1:42:38

Steven welcomes Italian-Australian Michael Curtotti to this episode to discuss Michael's recent new translastion of Bandello's original Italian novella, "Romeo and Juliet." Steven and Michael discuss Bandello's influence on the Bard and discover original Italian passages that are directy connected to lines from the play. Michael shares some of Band…

1
Bonus: Shakespeare and Social Media 51:38

6M ago51:38

51:38

In today's special bonus episode, we are joined by a panel of Shakespeare social media content creators in our first-ever panel episode to discuss the intersection between Shakespeare and social media. We discuss each guests’ work; the different social media platforms; how and why we create Shakespeare content; the benefits of educating through mem…

1
Authorship and Philosophy 1:10:35

6M ago1:10:35

1:10:35

Steven welcomes Michael Dudley back to the series to help Michael launch his new book, "The Shakespeare Authorship Question and Philosophy." This audio recording of the Facebook Live event is a special episode that bespeaks more live episode recordings to come! Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.don…

1
Bonus: Revisiting A Midsummer Night's Dream and Titus Andronicus 20:55

6M ago20:55

20:55

As we wrap up 2023, we are taking a look back at the plays we covered this year by re-reading them and discussing how our readings of the plays has changed after doing our research for our episodes. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Follow us on Instag…

1
Rosicrucian Code 1:34:11

6M ago1:34:11

1:34:11

Steven welcomes YouTube super sleuth, John Anthony, to this episode to discuss his video series on cracking Rosicrucian codes within the works of Shakespeare and other publications that point to Edward de Vere as a great pseudonymous writer. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com…

1
Mini: "Decolonize the Mind" through Shakespeare 21:58

6M ago21:58

21:58

Each year, in recognition of the National Day of Mourning/Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, we examine how British colonialism is irrevocably intertwined with Shakespeare. This year, we are taking a look at how Shakespeare's works have been used to critique the legacy of colonialism. We will look at how adaptations of Shakespeare's work fr…

1
Unpacking The Women of Will 1:30:55

7M ago1:30:55

1:30:55

Steven welcomes his wife, Annie, back to the series to discuss her take on Tina Packer's book, "The Women of Will." Annie shares her experience reading the book through the lens of the authorship mystery and analysis an actress who has performed many of the greatest female roles in the Shakespeare canon. Support the show by picking up official Don'…

1
Titus Andronicus: Wrap Up 49:56

7M ago49:56

49:56

We are finishing up our series on Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus by discussing two prominent adaptations and how they match up to what we've studied in our episodes. First, we will take a look at Julie Taymor's 1999 epic surrealist film adaptation, Titus, starring Antony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Then, we compare it to the 2017 Royal Shakespeare C…

1
Quiller Event Details 1:35:08

7M ago1:35:08

1:35:08

Steven welcomes Jon Foss back to the series to discuss his involvement in sponsoring and planning the Quiller event that will occur April 11-14, 2024, in Minneapolis. "William Shakespeare, Esquire: Was the Bard the Greatest Legal Mind of All Time?" will take place at the world-renowned Guthrie Theater. Steven and Jon take some time to discuss the d…

1
Mini: Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's Wife 35:18

7M ago35:18

35:18

This year, 2023, is the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. Have you ever stopped to ask how much you actually know about Anne? In today's episode, we will travel back through time to explore how Anne has been depicted in Shakespeare biographies and works of imaginative fiction since her death. We explore how her in…

1
Not So 'Anonymous' 1:18:07

8M ago1:18:07

1:18:07

Steven welcomes the celebrated screenwriter, John Orloff, to this episode to discuss his famous film, Anonymous, the writing of the script, the making of the film, the critical response, and John's other works, such as Band of Brothers. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and …

1
Titus Andronicus: Cannibalism and the Dangers of Hospitality in Early Modern England with Carson Brakke 51:09

8M ago51:09

51:09

In today's episode we are joined by Carson Brakke to discuss how early modern concepts and anxieties about hospitality and cannibalism influenced early modern literature and drama, most explicitly in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Carson breaks down the early modern concept of hospitality and shares the cultural debates and dilemmas that centered …

1
Science-speare 52:40

8M ago52:40

52:40

Steven welcomes mathematician and author David Roper to this episode to discuss his work on using math to help identify the true author of the works of Shakespeare, and some of David's other work on the Shakespeare Authorship Mystery. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and be…

1
Mini: Shakespeare's Sources: Ovid's Metamorphoses 24:12

8M ago24:12

24:12

Join us on a literary journey through the transformative tales of Ovid's Metamorphoses and their profound impact on the works of William Shakespeare. Ovid's Metamorphoses, a collection of mythological stories of change and transformation, serves as a rich source of inspiration for many of Shakespeare's most iconic plays and characters. Before divin…

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