In this course from Harvard University, professor and author Stephen Greenblatt details the life of William Shakespeare and explores various methods for interpreting the playwright's works.

William Shakespeare's plays remain highly influential on society over 400 years after they were written.

But how can we bridge the centuries-long gap between Shakespeare's life and today to interpret what these plays mean?

Analysis of Shakespeare's works is our best option, but this can be done through many lenses, including his life, the period they were written, and how they apply to the modern world.

In Shakespeare's Life and Work, offered by Harvard University, professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stephen Greenblatt explores different methods for interpreting the Bard's works.

The course also covers Shakespeare's life and historical context in 17th-century England, examining how this influenced his plays.