Episode 178: Much Ado About Hamlet

The History of English Podcast

In the first couple of years of the 1600s, several new Shakespeare plays appeared. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘As You Like It’ were recorded in the Stationer’s Register, and a third play called ‘The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’ was likely performed on the stage for the first time. In this episode, we’ll look at those plays and examine how they influenced the English language. We also explore the creation of the East India Company in 1600 and the Essex Rebellion of 1601. Works discussed in this episode include:
‘Much Ado About Nothing’ – William Shakespeare
‘As You Like It’ – William Shakespeare
‘The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’ – William Shakespeare