In this series of videos from Shakespeare Uncovered, students will explore the historical subjects of William Shakespeare’s plays Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V, the factual liberties he took in writing them, and the historical significance they have had over the centuries. The accompanying essay provides additional background on Shakespeare’s history plays, their immense popularity in Shakespeare’s time, and their continuing influence on how we understand history today.

This series of videos from Shakespeare Uncovered explores parent-child relationships in Henry IV and The Tempest. The videos explore the relationship between King Henry IV and his son Hal, highlighting how the King is at first disappointed with Hal and how their relationship evolves and strengthens. The segments from The Tempest highlight Miranda’s “moment of disobedience,” Prospero’s efforts to protect her, and how the parent-child dynamic changes when the lead role is played by a woman.

Using this media collection, students explore the theme of loss within Shakespeare’s plays, particularly focusing on Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Richard II. Whether it is loss of a loved one, loss of power, or loss of identity, students examine how Shakespeare’s characters cope with loss. Students also question whether or not Shakespeare’s own life (and loss) influenced his writing.

This series of videos from Shakespeare Uncovered presents the practices and beliefs held by the Elizabethans during Shakespeare’s time. The gallery explores the ideas and attitudes of average people as well as monarchs regarding witchcraft and specifically addresses Elizabeth’s response to attacks upon the throne. Two videos delve into the serious beliefs surrounding suicide and ghosts. This gallery also explores Shakespeare’s sources for historical research, the topic of boys and men playing female roles, the role of theater in London and the idea that Shakespearian Theater was akin to big box office theater of our present day.

This media collection from Shakespeare Uncovered explores the origins, unique characteristics and challenges presented by the 17th century Globe Theatre. Students will take a glimpse into the world of Elizabethan theater by watching actors perform scenes from Shakespeare’s plays on the stage of Shakespeare’s Globe, a modern-day replica of the Globe Theatre located one hundred feet from the original. The videos will show how the Globe Theatre, with its rounded structure and open-air space, was perfectly made for Shakespeare’s style of storytelling and highly spirited Elizabethan audiences.

This media gallery contains a series of videos from Shakespeare Uncovered that highlight commonly held beliefs regarding gender roles and identity in society. As you view the videos and complete the activities, examine the ways in which women and men are presented in the plays and think about what motivates their actions–is it their individualism or their gender?

This media gallery contains a series of videos from Shakespeare Uncovered that explore artifacts from Shakespeare’s time that many scholars believe Shakespeare himself may have referenced when researching for his plays. As you view the videos and complete the activities in this collection, examine the evidence presented to support this claim.

Writers are often told to “write what they know.” This lesson will ask students to explore this idea using examples of great writers, with a particular focus on William Shakespeare. This lesson can be used during a study of Shakespeare, The Tempest, or in a unit focused on writers and writers’ lives. The lesson is best used after students have examined the lives and works of several authors.

In this lesson, students will explore the themes of grief and loss in Hamlet using video from Shakespeare Uncovered. This lesson is best used during a reading of Hamlet.

This lesson uses video segments from Shakespeare Uncovered to explore the nature of war and its impact on those who fight it – particularly the title character of William Shakespeare’s “history” play Henry V. This lesson is best used before, during, or after a unit on Shakespeare’s Henry V, or in a unit on history in literature.