Understanding Hamlet and King Lear

The video explores the intellectual and emotional depth of Shakespeare's plays, focusing on Hamlet and King Lear. Hamlet is highlighted for its complex intellectual challenges and the vast amount of scholarly work it has inspired. The speaker shares personal experiences of teaching and watching Hamlet, emphasizing its endless potential for new insights. King Lear is discussed for its emotional impact, with references to various performances and actors. The video underscores the timeless nature of these plays and their ability to offer new perspectives with each viewing.

What play does the speaker consider the most intellectually challenging?

• Othello

• Hamlet

• Romeo and Juliet

• Macbeth

How many articles and books were written about Hamlet between 1890 and 1920?

• 4,000

• 2,700

• 1,500

• 3,200

Who wrote a book suggesting Hamlet suffered from the Oedipus complex?

• Sigmund Freud

• Alfred Adler

• Carl Jung

• Ernest Jones

How often does the speaker read or study Hamlet?

• Every decade

• Every year or so

• Every month

• Every five years

What does the speaker find new each time they watch Hamlet?

• The lighting

• New questions and relationships

• The set design

• The costumes

What makes Hamlet accessible to 14-year-olds according to the speaker?

• Its simple language

• Its straightforward plot

• Its short length

• Its modern setting

Which play does the speaker find the most emotionally impactful?

• Macbeth

• Hamlet

• King Lear

• Othello

How many live performances of King Lear has the speaker seen this year?

• Five

• Four

• Three

• Two

Where is the speaker planning to see Ian McKellen perform King Lear?

• Chicago

• Los Angeles

• Brooklyn

• London

What was the speaker's involvement with King Lear at the Denver School Performing Center?

• Wrote a review

• Acted in a play

• Directed a play

• Participated in a panel