Shakespeare's Hamlet features a haunting ghost that drives revenge, reflecting Elizabethan views of death while deepening themes of memory and justice.
Shakespeare's Hamlet features a haunting ghost that drives revenge, reflecting Elizabethan views of death while deepening themes of memory and justice.
This comprehensive course, led by Harvard professor Stephen Greenblatt, offers a unique exploration of Shakespeare's Hamlet through the lens of its most mysterious character - the Ghost. Students will investigate the Ghost's theatrical significance, historical context, and cultural impact. The course examines Renaissance England's religious beliefs about the afterlife, analyzes the play's narrative sources, and explores themes of death, mourning, and remembrance. Through expert lectures, critical readings, and discussions, participants develop analytical tools to understand the play's complex meanings. Perfect for both newcomers to Hamlet and experienced readers, this course provides fresh insights into Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.
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What you'll learn
Analyze the Ghost's dramatic significance and historical context in Hamlet
Examine Renaissance England's religious beliefs about the afterlife and their influence on the play
Explore the relationship between death, mourning, and theatrical representation
Investigate how different interpretations of the Ghost shape our understanding of the play
Evaluate the play's themes of revenge versus remembrance
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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There are 4 modules in this course
This course offers a deep dive into one of Shakespeare's most compelling dramatic devices - the Ghost in Hamlet. Through expert instruction and carefully curated content, students explore the Ghost's significance from multiple angles: theatrical, historical, religious, and literary. The curriculum examines how Shakespeare crafted this supernatural character to resonate with Renaissance audiences and how it continues to captivate modern viewers. Key topics include the religious context of ghost stories in Shakespeare's time, the theatrical techniques used to present supernatural elements, and the Ghost's role in themes of revenge, remembrance, and mourning.
Spirit? Apparition? Illusion?
Module 1
Imagining the Afterlife
Module 2
The Theater of Mourning
Module 3
The Texts of Hamlet
Module 4
Fee Structure
Instructor

8 Courses
A Pioneering Scholar in Literary Studies and Cultural Theory
Stephen Jay Greenblatt, born November 7, 1943, in Boston, serves as the Cogan University Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, where he has revolutionized literary criticism through founding New Historicism. After completing his education at Yale and Cambridge, he established himself as one of the preeminent Shakespeare scholars and Renaissance literature experts of our time. His influential works include fourteen books spanning Shakespeare studies, cultural history, and literary theory, with notable titles like "The Swerve: How the World Became Modern," which won both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, and "Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare." As General Editor of The Norton Anthology of English Literature and The Norton Shakespeare, he has shaped literary education worldwide. His academic leadership extends to founding the journal Representations and developing innovative approaches to cultural criticism. His exceptional contributions have earned him prestigious honors including the 2016 Holberg Prize, membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Philosophical Society, and the British Academy. Beyond his scholarly work, he has held visiting professorships at universities across the globe, from Beijing to Bologna, while maintaining his position as a leading voice in humanities education and cultural analysis.
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