Brush Up Your Shakespeare

Welcome to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we explore the most poignant and memorable moments of the Bard’s masterpieces! In this episode, our insightful host takes you through the final scene sharing Hamlet Act V, Scene 2, with a focus on the moving line: ‘Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to… Read More »“Good Night, Sweet Prince, and Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest”: Hamlet, Act V, scene 2: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 021

This scene takes place entirely in a graveyard! And Shakespeare, sensing things are getting a bit heavy, lightens things up with some comedy between two gravediggers! One of the gravediggers pops up a skull that belonged to the court jester, Yorick, and hands it to Hamlet. This begins one of the most famous vignettes in… Read More »“Alas, Poor Yorick!”: Hamlet, Act V, scene 1: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 020

Laertes returns to Denmark incensed over the murder of his father, Polonius, and seeking revenge. Things go from bad to worse when Laertes finds out that his sister has gone mad and then drowns herself. But Claudius is able to turn the wrath of Laertes away from himself and toward Hamlet, whom Claudius has sent… Read More »“To Cut His Throat I’ Th’ Church”: Hamlet Act IV, scenes 6 & 7: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 019

With Hamlet safely on his way to certain death in England, Claudius must deal with another threat to his throne: Laertes, the son of slain Polonius, is coming back from France to seek revenge for HIS father’s murder, and Laertes has his sights set on Claudius as the likely suspect! Adding to his rage, Laertes… Read More »“When Sorrows Come, They Come Not Single Spies, But In Battalions”: Hamlet, Act IV, scene 5: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 018

This scene contains one of the most brilliant soliloquies in the all of Shakespeare, and it doesn’t start with, “To be or not to be”! Hamlet realizes he has been thinking about revenging his father’s murder too long, and now resolves to take action to kill the King, his uncle, Claudius!

Hamlet killed Polonius in the last scene. The king is now sending Hamlet off to England. But is it just to get Hamlet out of Denmark until things cool down? Or does Claudius have something more sinister in mind? Could Claudius be sending Hamlet on a one-way trip to England? One from which Hamlet will… Read More »Hamlet, Act IV, scenes 1-3: Brush Up Your Shakespeare 016

The tension mounts as Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, summons Hamlet to her chambers after the “Mousetrap” play to demand of her son what he thinks he is up to. Hamlet quickly turns the tables on her, causing her to cry out for help. This causes Polonius, hidden behind the arras in the same room, to… Read More »“Hoist With His Own Petard”: Hamlet, Act III, scene 4: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 015

Welcome back to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we uncover the hidden gems within the Bard’s timeless works! In this episode, our insightful host delves into the depths of Hamlet Act III, Scene 3, with a keen focus on the poignant quote: ‘My words fly up; my thoughts remain below.’ Join us as we explore… Read More »“My Words Fly Up; My Thoughts Remain Below”: Hamlet, Act III, scene 3: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 014

“Welcome back to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we delve into the rich tapestry of the Bard’s masterpieces! In this episode, our perceptive host dissects Hamlet Act III, Scene II, with a focus on the famous line: ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’ Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of deceit, manipulation,… Read More »“The Lady Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks”: Hamlet Act III, scene 2: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 013

Enter into the world of ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where the host steps into the greatest soliloquy ‘To Be Or Not To Be’. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the emotions, self-reflection, and existential ponderings embedded in this iconic soliloquy. It’s time to brush up on the brilliance of the Bard – your literary… Read More »The Most Famous Soliloquy in Western Literature: “To Be Or Not To Be”: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 012