Shakespeare’s Henriad in Film

Class Description

Looking to get into Shakespeare’s history plays but not thrilled about reading hundreds of pages of blank verse? In this course we will read a “supercut” of the highlights from Richard II, parts 1 and 2 of Henry IV, and Henry V. We’ll watch and discuss five films, ranging from faithful adaptations to creative reimaginings. Class time will include an opportunity for students to share reflections and opinions as well as viewing different approaches to filming key scenes and a discussion of relevant British history. We’ll also discuss different approaches to analyzing these films and cover how Shakespeare in film has evolved over the past 100 years.

Andrew J. Roback, Ph.D. is a college instructor who has taught courses in communication, cultural studies, humanities, and design for the past seventeen years. He has designed 20 courses in those fields as well as numerous professional development programs.

All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.

What to Expect

Format: Virtual 

Class Capacity: 24 

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged 

Materials List

Required

Readings (the instructor is using the Bedford Shakespeare editions, but you can use any annotated edition you’d like):

• William Shakespeare, Richard II. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2005. ISBN: 9780743484916, or any other edition.

• Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 1. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2020. ISBN: 9781982122515, or any other edition.

• Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2020. ISBN: 9781982157401, or any other edition.

• Shakespeare, Henry V. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2004. ISBN: 9780743484879, or any other edition.

• Additional Instructor-Distributed Materials

Films:

• “Richard II,” episode one of The Hollow Crown (2012). Available to stream on the Roku Channel, or to buy on Prime Video or Apple TV.

• Chimes at Midnight (1965). Directed by Orson Welles. Available to stream on HBO Max, the Criterion Channel, or Kanopy. Available to rent or buy on Prime Video or Apple TV.

• Henry V (1944). Directed by Laurence Olivier. Available to stream on YouTube, the Roku Channel, Tubi, HBO Max, or the Criterion Channel.

• Henry V (1989). Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Available to stream on YouTube, Hoopla, the Roku Channel, or Prime Video.

• The King (2019). Directed by David Michôd. Available to stream on Netflix.

No required reading or viewing for the first day.

Cost and Registration

6 Sessions, $245 ($220.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($245), Community Supported ($225), and Sponsor ($265) Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

Having trouble signing up? Take a look at our step-by-step guide to registration by clicking here.

The views and opinions expressed in this class and/or by the instructor are not necessarily representative of the Newberry. We aim to ensure that in our classes, participants can have respectful disagreement to foster critical thinking. This is a space to challenge and expand our own worldviews to work towards better understanding and appreciating humanity.

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