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William Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories and Tragedies
Professor Peter Saccio—an award-winning Ivy League Professor of Shakespeare studies—is your guide for this marvelous exploration of 15 of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Learn how our most abundant poet and dramatist has been moving, delighting, and enlightening readers and audiences for 400 years, with no end in sight.
Lecture Titles:
1. Shakespeare Then and Now
2. The Nature of Shakespeare's Plays
3. Twelfth Night—Shakespearean Comedy
4. Twelfth Night—Malvolio in Love
5. The Taming of the Shrew—Getting Married in the 1590s
6. The Taming of the Shrew—Farce and Romance
7. The Merchant of Venice—Courting the Heiress
8. The Merchant of Venice—Shylock
9. Measure for Measure—Sex in Society
10. Measure for Measure—Justice and Comedy
11. Richard III—Shakespearean History
12. Richard III—The Villain's Career
13. Richard II—The Theory of Kingship
14. Richard II—The Fall of the King
15. Henry IV—All the King's Men
16. Henry IV—The Life of Falstaff
17. Henry V—The Death of Falstaff
18. Henry V—The King Victorious
19. Romeo and Juliet—Shakespearean Tragedy
20. Romeo and Juliet—Public Violence and Private Bliss;
21. Troilus and Cressida—Ancient Epic in a New Mode
22. Troilus and Cressida—Heroic Aspirations
23. Julius Caesar—The Matter of Rome
24. Julius Caesar—Heroes of History
25. Hamlet—The Abundance of the Play
26. Hamlet—The Causes of Tragedy
27. Hamlet—The Protestant Hero
28. Othello—The Design of the Tragedy
29. Othello—“O Villainy!”
30. Othello—“The Noble Moor”
31. King Lear—“This Is the Worst”
32. King Lear—Wisdom Through Suffering
33. King Lear—“Then We Go On”
34. Macbeth—“Fair Is Foul”
35. Macbeth—Musing on Murder
36. Macbeth—“Enter Two Murderers”
Lecture Titles:
1. Shakespeare Then and Now
2. The Nature of Shakespeare's Plays
3. Twelfth Night—Shakespearean Comedy
4. Twelfth Night—Malvolio in Love
5. The Taming of the Shrew—Getting Married in the 1590s
6. The Taming of the Shrew—Farce and Romance
7. The Merchant of Venice—Courting the Heiress
8. The Merchant of Venice—Shylock
9. Measure for Measure—Sex in Society
10. Measure for Measure—Justice and Comedy
11. Richard III—Shakespearean History
12. Richard III—The Villain's Career
13. Richard II—The Theory of Kingship
14. Richard II—The Fall of the King
15. Henry IV—All the King's Men
16. Henry IV—The Life of Falstaff
17. Henry V—The Death of Falstaff
18. Henry V—The King Victorious
19. Romeo and Juliet—Shakespearean Tragedy
20. Romeo and Juliet—Public Violence and Private Bliss;
21. Troilus and Cressida—Ancient Epic in a New Mode
22. Troilus and Cressida—Heroic Aspirations
23. Julius Caesar—The Matter of Rome
24. Julius Caesar—Heroes of History
25. Hamlet—The Abundance of the Play
26. Hamlet—The Causes of Tragedy
27. Hamlet—The Protestant Hero
28. Othello—The Design of the Tragedy
29. Othello—“O Villainy!”
30. Othello—“The Noble Moor”
31. King Lear—“This Is the Worst”
32. King Lear—Wisdom Through Suffering
33. King Lear—“Then We Go On”
34. Macbeth—“Fair Is Foul”
35. Macbeth—Musing on Murder
36. Macbeth—“Enter Two Murderers”
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1999
25 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Peter Saccio
14 books18 followersPh.D., Princeton University
Dartmouth College
Dr. Peter Saccio is Leon D. Black Professor of Shakespearean Studies and Professor of English Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He also served as a visiting professor at Wesleyan University and at University College in London. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University.
At Dartmouth, Professor Saccio was honored with the J. Kenneth Huntington Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching.
Professor Saccio is the author of Shakespeare’s English Kings, which has become a classic in its field. He is also the editor of Thomas Middleton’s comedy A Mad World, My Masters, for the Oxford Complete Works of Thomas Middleton.
Professor Saccio is also an accomplished actor and theatrical director. He directed productions of Twelfth Night, Macbeth, and Cymbeline, and devised and directed several programs of scenes from Shakespeare and from modern British drama. His acting credits include the Shakespearean roles of Casca, Angelo, Bassanio, and Henry IV, as well as various parts in the ancient and modern plays.
Dartmouth College
Dr. Peter Saccio is Leon D. Black Professor of Shakespearean Studies and Professor of English Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He also served as a visiting professor at Wesleyan University and at University College in London. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University.
At Dartmouth, Professor Saccio was honored with the J. Kenneth Huntington Memorial Award for Outstanding Teaching.
Professor Saccio is the author of Shakespeare’s English Kings, which has become a classic in its field. He is also the editor of Thomas Middleton’s comedy A Mad World, My Masters, for the Oxford Complete Works of Thomas Middleton.
Professor Saccio is also an accomplished actor and theatrical director. He directed productions of Twelfth Night, Macbeth, and Cymbeline, and devised and directed several programs of scenes from Shakespeare and from modern British drama. His acting credits include the Shakespearean roles of Casca, Angelo, Bassanio, and Henry IV, as well as various parts in the ancient and modern plays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 11, 2023
This is a 36 lecture series by Professor Saccio, the first course I have listened to by this professor. Professor Saccio has a good speaking voice and has a background in stage acting, so he uses his dramatic sense in some of the readings from the Shakespearean text.
I have been a long time admirer of Shakespeare's plays since I read my first one in high school. I listened to this series so I could gain a further understanding of the plays I am fairly familiar with. I have seen most of Shakespeare's plays performed on stage and read through all of them at least once. This series starts with two introductory lectures then dives into the individual comedies, histories, and tragedies. Not all the plays are covered in this series, consider it a sampler. Four comedies get two lectures each-Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and Measure for Measure. It's nice that Measure for Measure was included, which is a play that is often overlooked. Then four history plays get two lectures each- Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV Part One, and Henry V. These are the most popular of the history plays and probably the best, although I've always had a soft spot for King John.
The last section is on the tragedies, and since these are Shakespeare's most well regarded plays, this section contains seven plays. Troilus and Cressida is included in this section, although its often considered a comedy. It's a problem play that defies easy characterization but they are a fascinating two lectures. Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar get two lectures each. The series concludes with the four great tragedies of Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, which each get three lectures apiece. Some lectures are more interesting than the others, but Professor Saccio usually has some good insight that allows for deeper understanding of the play. He does tackle the authorship question, but I won't spoil it in my review here. A fun and engaging lecture series!
I have been a long time admirer of Shakespeare's plays since I read my first one in high school. I listened to this series so I could gain a further understanding of the plays I am fairly familiar with. I have seen most of Shakespeare's plays performed on stage and read through all of them at least once. This series starts with two introductory lectures then dives into the individual comedies, histories, and tragedies. Not all the plays are covered in this series, consider it a sampler. Four comedies get two lectures each-Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, and Measure for Measure. It's nice that Measure for Measure was included, which is a play that is often overlooked. Then four history plays get two lectures each- Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV Part One, and Henry V. These are the most popular of the history plays and probably the best, although I've always had a soft spot for King John.
The last section is on the tragedies, and since these are Shakespeare's most well regarded plays, this section contains seven plays. Troilus and Cressida is included in this section, although its often considered a comedy. It's a problem play that defies easy characterization but they are a fascinating two lectures. Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar get two lectures each. The series concludes with the four great tragedies of Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, which each get three lectures apiece. Some lectures are more interesting than the others, but Professor Saccio usually has some good insight that allows for deeper understanding of the play. He does tackle the authorship question, but I won't spoil it in my review here. A fun and engaging lecture series!
October 25, 2020
This was a very exciting and interesting set of lectures on Shakespeare's work. I learned a lot.
In a very academic series of lectures, Prof. Saccio provides historical, literary, and analytical insights into Shakespeare's greatest work. The book is organized around the structure of the First Foiio. To my surprise and pleasure, Saccio doesn't feel the need to either cover all the plays, or to provide plot summaries for the plays; he assumes you know the works. He does take some time to explain the basic structure of the three types of plays: comedies, histories, and tragedies. And most of the lectures are one or two lectures focused on a single play, using it to explain what Shakespeare does well, and how much 'abundance' there is in a set of works that illuminates how humans think and act.
This is definitely the sort of class I never had time for in undergraduate school, and exactly the kind of lecture series that has made me a continuing customer for The Great Courses series from The Teaching Company.
In a very academic series of lectures, Prof. Saccio provides historical, literary, and analytical insights into Shakespeare's greatest work. The book is organized around the structure of the First Foiio. To my surprise and pleasure, Saccio doesn't feel the need to either cover all the plays, or to provide plot summaries for the plays; he assumes you know the works. He does take some time to explain the basic structure of the three types of plays: comedies, histories, and tragedies. And most of the lectures are one or two lectures focused on a single play, using it to explain what Shakespeare does well, and how much 'abundance' there is in a set of works that illuminates how humans think and act.
This is definitely the sort of class I never had time for in undergraduate school, and exactly the kind of lecture series that has made me a continuing customer for The Great Courses series from The Teaching Company.
January 19, 2019
Outstanding, simply outstanding. I have listened to Peter Saccio's other Great Course, "The Word and the Action" also about Shakespeare is equally excellent.
This course goes into depth for 15 of Shakespeare's greatest plays:
Twelfth Night
The Taming of the Shrew
The Merchant of Venice
Measure for Measure
Richard III
Richard II
Henry IV
Henry V
Romeo and Juliet
Troilus and Cressida
Julius Caesar
Hamlet
Othello
King Lear
MacBeth
It is difficult to summarize the lectures, but I have to say that the lectures on "Taming of the Shrew", "Merchant of Venice", and "MacBeth" brought great insight into those plays. One lecture covers only the "If it were done" soliloquy of MacBeth, which covers about 30 lines. AMAZING exegesis of that passage, it is multi-layered and rich in meaning and intent. WOW!
HIGHLY highly recommended, 100 stars if I could assign that many.
This course goes into depth for 15 of Shakespeare's greatest plays:
Twelfth Night
The Taming of the Shrew
The Merchant of Venice
Measure for Measure
Richard III
Richard II
Henry IV
Henry V
Romeo and Juliet
Troilus and Cressida
Julius Caesar
Hamlet
Othello
King Lear
MacBeth
It is difficult to summarize the lectures, but I have to say that the lectures on "Taming of the Shrew", "Merchant of Venice", and "MacBeth" brought great insight into those plays. One lecture covers only the "If it were done" soliloquy of MacBeth, which covers about 30 lines. AMAZING exegesis of that passage, it is multi-layered and rich in meaning and intent. WOW!
HIGHLY highly recommended, 100 stars if I could assign that many.
February 18, 2021
One day I will be smart enough to really appreciate Shakespeare. Until then, I’ll keep relying on these commentaries.
March 31, 2022
Saccio had a great deal of insight for each of Shakespeare’s plays, both for the most famous (or infamous) as well as some of his lesser known works. As with nearly all the Great Courses series, I wish this one could’ve been longer, but I may be asking too much. I would love five hour explorations of each and every one of Shakespeare’s plays by themselves. In liu of that, this series was a fascinating exploration into both the mechanics and the art of a wide array of Shakespeare’s work.
July 23, 2021
An audio series from The Teaching Company by way of Audible and The Great Courses, Peter Saccio's lectures on Shakespeare's plays were an excellent listen. I received new insight from almost every lecture. His covering of background sources was enlightening, as were his discussions of how the plays line up with their respective genres; the themes of hamartia (tragic flaw) and anagnorisis (self knowledge) show up often, to diverse effect. His case for why Falstaff's death in Henry V proves Shakespeare to be a master was outstanding.
In my opinion, I think this course would not be best for those just approaching Shakespeare. While Saccio explores key points in most of Shakespeare's most popular plays (and even ones people might skip, such as Troilus and Cressida), he rarely gives a full summary of the plays, so listeners should come to the lectures with at least a general understanding of the plays' events. Nonetheless, if one wants to find what is profound in Shakespeare before he or she devotes the time to reading his plays, Saccio's lecture series might do the trick.
The production quality is fine, and Saccio's speaking, reading, and reciting voice is engaging and earnest. He cites his past performances several times, and though he usually stays within the tones of an academic milieu, he speaks the parts as a performer. Very worth listening to and digesting.
In my opinion, I think this course would not be best for those just approaching Shakespeare. While Saccio explores key points in most of Shakespeare's most popular plays (and even ones people might skip, such as Troilus and Cressida), he rarely gives a full summary of the plays, so listeners should come to the lectures with at least a general understanding of the plays' events. Nonetheless, if one wants to find what is profound in Shakespeare before he or she devotes the time to reading his plays, Saccio's lecture series might do the trick.
The production quality is fine, and Saccio's speaking, reading, and reciting voice is engaging and earnest. He cites his past performances several times, and though he usually stays within the tones of an academic milieu, he speaks the parts as a performer. Very worth listening to and digesting.
May 24, 2018
Professor Peter Saccio is fantastic here, and his passion for the subject matter pulls you into the inner workings of these enigmatic plays. Each play is given two full lectures, with the exception of the holy of holys: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, Lear. Lectures focus on examination of the text, Elizabethian context, and interesting perspectives on how the plays have been and are being acted.
I still have my personal favorite plays, but Saccio's lectures gave me a fascinating new perspective on plays such as Measure for Measure - which dovetails so nicely with our current #metoo movement. I had similar feelings for The Taming of the Shrew, and I loved the "fairytale" aspects of The Merchant of Venice.
One of my main beefs with TGP is that they do not offer one course which examines ALL of Shakespeare's plays, but Peter Saccio's lectures here are the next best thing.
I still have my personal favorite plays, but Saccio's lectures gave me a fascinating new perspective on plays such as Measure for Measure - which dovetails so nicely with our current #metoo movement. I had similar feelings for The Taming of the Shrew, and I loved the "fairytale" aspects of The Merchant of Venice.
One of my main beefs with TGP is that they do not offer one course which examines ALL of Shakespeare's plays, but Peter Saccio's lectures here are the next best thing.
July 18, 2018
A learned and practical series of lectures, which I very much needed. Provides an overview of most of Shakespeare's career, with the major exception of the final half-dozen plays (he stops at Macbeth). Occasionally the threads show, i.e. you realize the professor stopped thinking some years ago, and is now merely reciting conclusions, some of which seem unearned. Also, he makes several doubtful or half-baked philosophical and theological assertions; all too often literature teachers exceed their subject and expertise. He is aware that Shakespeare is not a teacher, but an imitator of action. Best for critics and actors to stay on that plane.
High points are the tragedies and the introductions to each of the three genres. Makes respectful use of the Poetics, but says medieval theories of tragedy (much simpler than Aristotle) are more pertinent to the Elizabethans.
High points are the tragedies and the introductions to each of the three genres. Makes respectful use of the Poetics, but says medieval theories of tragedy (much simpler than Aristotle) are more pertinent to the Elizabethans.
June 22, 2020
I found much of value here, particularly in his close reading of passages. I did find that the better I new a play, the less I liked his reading. That's probably predictable. And his critical principles seemed to vary from play to play, becoming at times contradictory. Sorry I can't give an example without rereading the text--or rehearing it, which is even harder. He does stumble a lot. One would have liked better production values. But this has the appeal of a "live" version of a hit song. The fanfare introductions and the applause are ridiculous. The lectures really are pitched at an undergraduate seminar at Dartmouth or something pretty close. They don't need the preening.
December 27, 2022
No one single account of this Author is sufficient. The works of William Shakespeare as organized here are satisfyingly credible. The very best I've enjoyed. The presenting professor’s research within real history, unlike Shakespeare’s celebrated imagination, helps me think! From this great course lecture, I can safely reason the familiar topics, and appreciate with sincere thankfulness our here & now, today - improving lives.
October 16, 2020
The Teaching Company Great Courses in 2013 released a 36 “Shakespeare: Comedies, Histories and Tragedies” lecture series by Professor Peter Saccio. Each audio lecture is 30 minutes long and they are outstanding. Professor Saccio explains the main themes of each play, and he underscores his explanations by reciting verses in Shakespeare’s prose. I enjoyed the lectures very much. (P)
June 2, 2022
Erudite and easily digestible. If the lecture is on its way out because of greater calls for student autonomy (not undeserved), know that in its best sense, Sacco delivers the lecture the way it’s meant to be. Not authoritative, Talmud-style direction but perspective, argument, reasoned and open to debate. Bring back this kind of lecture and let’s figure out how to teach listening as a skill again.
As to the content, well, I have nothing brilliant to offer, except maybe any teachers doing any of the classics in the secondary classroom today might find worthy material here to base their activities around. If I’d heard Saccio’s commentary on Macbeth’s soliloquy over whether or not to murder Duncan, for example, while I was still teaching the play, I’d have made much of the grammar and syntax and gotten (or tried to get) students to do some argument mapping and study of the rhetoric of grammar. Alas, I’m off that beat now. Maybe some day.
As to the content, well, I have nothing brilliant to offer, except maybe any teachers doing any of the classics in the secondary classroom today might find worthy material here to base their activities around. If I’d heard Saccio’s commentary on Macbeth’s soliloquy over whether or not to murder Duncan, for example, while I was still teaching the play, I’d have made much of the grammar and syntax and gotten (or tried to get) students to do some argument mapping and study of the rhetoric of grammar. Alas, I’m off that beat now. Maybe some day.
May 27, 2024
Over the past 28 years of my teaching career, I have taught several works by Shakespeare to the point where I have memorized most of the plays. Those plays I am referencing are Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Othello, and Macbeth.
I found this Great Course to be very informative, both reinforcing things I thought I understood and challenging my assumptions about certain scenes and characters and lines of dialog. In short come I enjoyed it very much and feel that it was definitely worth my time.
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars for this and chose to give it 4 because of the Great Courses' production, not because of the professor's intellect or ability (although he does say "um" quite a bit) but because of the terrible bumper music and canned applause at the end of each lecture.
I found this Great Course to be very informative, both reinforcing things I thought I understood and challenging my assumptions about certain scenes and characters and lines of dialog. In short come I enjoyed it very much and feel that it was definitely worth my time.
I was torn between 4 and 5 stars for this and chose to give it 4 because of the Great Courses' production, not because of the professor's intellect or ability (although he does say "um" quite a bit) but because of the terrible bumper music and canned applause at the end of each lecture.
December 27, 2021
Peter Saccio gives 36 half hour lectures on some of Shakespeare's most important plays. The lectures are thoughtfully presented commentary and it is a high quality recording.
I read this on Audible and It is an enjoyable listen. I bought it in one of the two for one sales, so it was well worth the price, since I am not currently subscribed to the Great Courses service.
It's one of those take it or leave it type books, which will not really affect your experience with Shakespeare directly, since it is not a summary of plot, or a study guide. But, it does allow you to hear another person's point of view. I did find Mr. Sacco's comments interesting.
I read this on Audible and It is an enjoyable listen. I bought it in one of the two for one sales, so it was well worth the price, since I am not currently subscribed to the Great Courses service.
It's one of those take it or leave it type books, which will not really affect your experience with Shakespeare directly, since it is not a summary of plot, or a study guide. But, it does allow you to hear another person's point of view. I did find Mr. Sacco's comments interesting.
December 28, 2019
I didn’t actually finish this book, but that’s only because it is a series of lectures and I only listened to some of them. I enjoyed the lectures I listened to, I just didn’t feel compelled to hear them all. It was nice to hear some thought and context behind Shakespearean stories that I haven’t always given that much deep thought to.
January 30, 2020
Saccio is very passionate and knowledgeable about Shakespeare. You really should be interested in the bard. If you are not, Saccio will convince you in this lecture series. Listening to it automatically makes you a lot more cultured.
May 20, 2022
Hearing the plays discussed with various interpretations of the wordage as well as reflections on casting and stage presentation brought some surprising and well worthwhile moments. This experience also brought back memories of when I had been to see them at various times during my life.
April 1, 2020
enjoyed it
August 29, 2020
Wow....great in-depth look at the works of the master wordsmith!
November 22, 2020
No better does it better than Professor Saccio.
January 24, 2021
A bit slow but easy to follow along. More explanation of Shakespeare's plays and poems. Some historical background references.
May 18, 2021
The best Shakespeare course.
May 9, 2022
This was profoundly brilliant. He coursed over the highlighting articles of several of the mainline plays of William Shakespeare brilliantly. This is like art.
May 22, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed these lectures on Shakespeare!
August 27, 2022
Loved this lecture series very wonderful.
November 9, 2023
I love this audiobook! This is my second time listening to it. I love this professor’s view on Shakespeare plays. Such an amazing refresher course!
October 7, 2024
The lecture series overall did a great job of diving deeper into the world of Shakespeare. I loved learning about the world of a playwright in 1600. It was interesting to know how much he built on previously existing works and how much depth he added in the process. It changed my perspective seeing the elements of comedy amidst his tragedies, the tragedy amidst his comedies and how mixed his histories are all together. Most of all I loved the depth of characters he revealed behind the old English and stage directions.
There however can be times he is hard to follow as closely as I would have liked since it has been a while since reading some of the plays here reviewed. (Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure, Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, Troilus and Cressida, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, & Mcbeath).
There however can be times he is hard to follow as closely as I would have liked since it has been a while since reading some of the plays here reviewed. (Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure, Richard III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, Troilus and Cressida, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, & Mcbeath).
February 3, 2022
really good series of lectures on shakespeare's plays. gives some good insight into the plays.
December 27, 2023
Insightful, incredible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews