Shakespeare’s plays are distinguished by the variety and effectiveness of their structures, the range of perspectives that they open up, the multiplicity of human experiences that they describe, their innovative language, and their sheer power to provoke thought and emotional response. The Bard’s impact on global culture cannot be underestimated. This course will deepen your understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s universe with special regard to his craft, language, significant themes, and cultural legacy. We will also address some of the notorious conundrums that Shakespeare scholars often debate. Plays may include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Richard III, Henry IV part I, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Anthony and Cleopatra, and The Tempest. Our examination may entail attention to works in other genres—such as Verdi’s greatest Opera Otelloand Kurosawa’s greatest film Ran—that attest to the enduring and complex impact of Shakespeare’s art.