Awkward Shakespeare

vickispreadbury
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  • Education

Want to understand more about Shakespeare’s plays but not into boring lectures on how to pass a GCSE in English literature? Awkward Shakespeare is a scene by scene guide to some of Shakespeare’s greatest works, an in-depth but lighthearted exploration of the stories and language behind the plays. Every episode deals with a single scene, so it’s really easy to navigate, and we’ll be looking at key characters and key concepts along the way.

  1. 05/11/2025

    Macbeth Episode 29 - This dead butcher and his fiend-like queen

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 9 Absolutely everything is resolved. Macbeth is dead, Macduff is avenged, Malcolm is king. It's PURE coincidence that this is just how things were at the start of the play. No suggestion at all that history might repeat itself. History NEVER does that. (Where IS Fleance though?) Content warning: brief references to suicide.

    39 min

  2. 05/08/2025

    Macbeth Episode 28 - Untimely ripped

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 8 In which we find out, in possibly the most controversial loophole in literary history, that being born by Caesarean means you were not "of woman born". Macduff takes his revenge, Macbeth is killed, the tyrant is no more.

    39 min

  3. 05/01/2025

    Macbeth Episode 27 - Little is to do

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 and Act 5 Scene 7 Surprise! It's not a moving wood, it's Malcolm's army. The two sides finally clash, the castle is somewhat easily surrendered, and there's one big scene for the actor given the role of Young Siward.

    32 min

  4. 04/25/2025

    Macbeth Episode 26 - The Queen, my lord, is dead

    Macbeth Act 5 Scenes 4 and 5 In which the witches' prophecy about Great Birnam Wood unexpectedly comes true, Lady Macbeth dies, and Macbeth realises trusting supernatural entities was a really bad idea. Plus he gives a truly great speech about existence, theatre and the human condition.

    1h 8m

  5. 04/14/2025

    Macbeth Episode 25 - Hang those who talk of fear

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3. Macbeth is back and he's definitely not afraid. As he says (repeatedly) what's he got to be afraid of? Still, best to get that terrified looking servant to go away, just in case it's catching.

    36 min

  6. 04/02/2025

    Macbeth Episode 24 - The English power is near

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 A group of thanes are on their way to Birnam Wood, where they hope to meet Malcolm, Macduff and their army. Meanwhile "the tyrant", they tell us, is struggling to maintain his grip on power. Bonus: two unexpected references to the US political scene. #topical.

    35 min

  7. 03/28/2025

    Macbeth Episode 23 - Out, damned spot!

    Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1 In which we see Lady Macbeth begin to disintegrate mentally as she finally begins to process the impact of her crimes. Turns out a little water does not in fact cleanse you of your deeds.

    50 min

  8. 03/18/2025

    Macbeth Episode 22 - Welcome and unwelcome things

    Macbeth Act 4 Scene 3  A scene even critics and academics describe as dull. Malcolm is greedy, lustful and entirely unfit to rule. Or is he? Secrets, lies, and masculinity takes, and poor Macduff finds out what's happened to his family.

    1h 6m
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About

Want to understand more about Shakespeare’s plays but not into boring lectures on how to pass a GCSE in English literature? Awkward Shakespeare is a scene by scene guide to some of Shakespeare’s greatest works, an in-depth but lighthearted exploration of the stories and language behind the plays. Every episode deals with a single scene, so it’s really easy to navigate, and we’ll be looking at key characters and key concepts along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    vickispreadbury
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Awkward Shakespeare