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Artwork for Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited

Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited

Folger Shakespeare Library
Shakespeare
Hamlet
Disgust
Henry VIII
Will Somer
Antony and Cleopatra
Renaissance
Titus Andronicus
Transgender Identity
Court Fools
Othello
Stand-Up Comedy
Dyslexia
The Merchant Of Venice
Lady Macbeth
Shakespeare's First Folio
Tudor Court
Anne Boleyn
Arizona State University
Performance Arts

Home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare materials. Advancing knowledge and the arts. Discover it all at www.folger.edu. Shakespeare turns up in the most interesting places—not just literature and the stage, but science and social history as well. Our "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast explores the fascinating and varied connections between Shakespeare, his works, and the world around us... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes293Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for Folger Shakespeare Library: Shakespeare Unlimited

Latest Episodes

Whitney White is a theatrical powerhouse. A director, writer, actor, and musician, White’s work has been seen on Broadway, Off Broadway, and at major institutions including The Public Theater, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and, most recently, the Ro... more

Many Shakespeare fans don’t think of themselves as “math people.” They’re theater kids, poetry lovers, bookworms, right? But in Shakespeare’s world, math and literature were deeply intertwined. In Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Li... more

YouTube

While Shakespeare was reshaping English drama, a parallel theatrical revolution was unfolding in Spain. During the Spanish Golden Age, playwright Lope de Vega pioneered the comedia nueva, a bold new dramatic form that broke classical rules in favor o... more

YouTube

Why does Samuel Pepys’s diary still matter 200 years after it was first published? In her new book, The Strange History of Samuel Pepys’s Diary, historian Kate Loveman examines how Pepys’s extraordinary consistency as a diarist has made his writing o... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rob Eastaway
Mathematician and author
The Experiment Publishing
Episode: Shakespeare and Mathematics
Barbara Fuchs
Professor of English, Spanish, and Portuguese literature at UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
Episode: Spain's Golden Age of Theater
Kate Loveman
Pepys scholar, author of The Strange History of Samuel Pepys's Diary
University of Leicester
Episode: The Strange History of Samuel Pepys's Diary
Sam Bilton
Food historian and author, expert on Elizabethan cuisine
Episode: Celebrating Elizabethan Cooking, with Sam Bilton
Daniel Swift
Author and Professor at Northeastern University
Northeastern University
Episode: London's First Playhouse and Shakespeare
Jade Scott
Historian affiliated with the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Episode: Mary, Queen of Scots, with Jade Scott
Al Letson
Journalist, actor, playwright, and host of the investigative podcast Reveal
Episode: Al Letson on his play Julius X
Rosa Joshi
a director and Associate Artistic Director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Episode: Director Rosa Joshi on Julius Caesar Today
Patricia A. Matthew
Associate professor of English at Montclair State University
Montclair State University
Episode: Reading Jane Austen in the 21st Century with Patricia A. Matthew

Host

Farrah Kareem Cooper
Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library and host of Shakespeare Unlimited.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Yes!

    Shakespeare in Africa, Shakespeare in China, Shakespeare in prisons, sonnets based on pop songs — this amazing podcast covers a wide range and is always interesting, always accessible. Fascinating guests, great questions, rewarding discussions — I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. I’m hooked!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shakespeare-to-Sondheim
    United States2 months ago
  • Reading Jane Austen

    The author/editor/‘scholar’ seemed contemptuous of Jane Austen’s ongoing popularity

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ?YouAsked?
    Australia3 months ago
  • Fantastic range and depth

    Had no idea what to expect when I clicked on the first episode I tried, but every time I listen I am struck by the range of subjects, the depth of its exploration, and the accessibility of how it’s all handled.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tony_Bananas
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent From The Very First

    Having recently discovered this wonderful podcast, I have been struck by how excellent it was from the very first episode. And that is saying a lot because it has been around for 10 years! Subject matter, guests, introductions and hosts are top notch and the production is such a high quality, it is truly exceptional. I really have to get to newly renovated library soon! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KimTrahan
    United States5 months ago
  • “Give me excess of it!”

    As an English professor and lifelong lover of all things England and Shakespeare, Shakespeare Unlimited is an absolute gem. Each episode is engaging, thought-provoking, and expertly produced. The variety of topics keeps it fresh and endlessly fascinating—ranging from deep literary analysis to cultural history to performance to pop culture and beyond.

    Listening to this podcast feels like being back in graduate school, in the best possible way. It’s intellectually rich without being overwhelming,... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavidCLowery
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The variety of subjects explored keeps the content fresh and intellectually stimulating, attracting both scholars and casual fans of the arts.
Critiques arise regarding the interview style of the host, indicating a desire for more engaging follow-up questions during guest segments.
Listeners appreciate the depth and accessibility of the discussions, often surprising themselves with how engaging and relevant the topics are.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#199
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#237
Australia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shakespeare and Mathematics
Q: Is there a message for teachers looking at Shakespeare through the lens of math?
Yes, it encourages teachers to connect math and the arts, showing how subjects like Shakespeare can provide entry points into mathematical concepts.
Shakespeare and Mathematics
Q: Was it just because England was a backwater that it was slow to adopt new mathematical concepts?
Yes, it was because England was behind the knowledge curve due to historical factors and was slow to adopt the new Indo-Arabic numerals.
Shakespeare and Mathematics
Q: What kind of mathematical education would someone have in Shakespeare's time?
In Shakespeare's time, a university education focused on arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music, though Shakespeare himself mainly learned arithmetic.
Spain's Golden Age of Theater
Q: How does the glorification of Shakespeare in theater make it more difficult for pieces from Spanish classical theater to get staged?
Shakespeare has made room in theater programming, and there is often a reluctance to move beyond his plays, even though there are many compelling Spanish works that deserve attention.
Spain's Golden Age of Theater
Q: So do we know if Shakespeare knew Lope de Vega's work, and what kind of cultural exchange was going on between England and Spain?
The exchange primarily went one way, with English playwrights looking to Spain for literary inspiration, particularly from prose texts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate connections between Shakespeare's works and the wider world, this podcast presents an eclectic mix of topics that touch on literature, theater, history, and cultural relevance. With a range of guests from literary scholars to theater directors and historians, discussions are rich with insights into how Shakespeare's themes resonate with contemporary issues such as gender, power dynamics, and diversity in representation.

What sets this podcast apart is its emphasis on viewing Shakespeare through various lenses, whether it be the analysis of historical figures like Mary, Queen of Scots, or modern adaptations that reinterpret classical narratives. Listeners can expect in-depth conversations that not only celebrate Shak... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. In Our Time
2. The History of Literature
3. Not Just the Tudors
4. Close Readings
5. Backlisted

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 293 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Rob Eastaway
2. Barbara Fuchs
3. Kate Loveman
4. Sam Bilton
5. Daniel Swift
6. Jade Scott
7. Al Letson
8. Rosa Joshi

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