Comedies, Romances, and Shakespeare's Heroines: Crash Course Theater #16

This week we're continuing our discussion of William Shakespeare and looking at his comedies and romances. As well as something called problem plays. Some of his plays, they had problems. We'll also put on pants, escape to forest, and talk about Shakepeare's heroines, lots of whom had quite a bit more agency in these plays than the women in the tragedies had.

Thanks to the following Patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:

Mark Brouwer, Glenn Elliott, Justin Zingsheim, Jessica Wode, Eric Prestemon, Kathrin Benoit, Tom Trval, Jason Saslow, Nathan Taylor, Divonne Holmes à Court, Brian Thomas Gossett, Khaled El Shalakany, Indika Siriwardena, SR Foxley, Sam Ferguson, Yasenia Cruz, Eric Koslow, Caleb Weeks, Tim Curwick, Evren Türkmenoğlu, D.A. Noe, Shawn Arnold, mark austin, Ruth Perez, Malcolm Callis, Ken Penttinen, Advait Shinde, Cody Carpenter, Annamaria Herrera, William McGraw, Bader AlGhamdi, Vaso, Melissa Briski, Joey Quek, Andrei Krishkevich, Rachel Bright, Alex S, Mayumi Maeda, Kathy & Tim Philip, Montather, Jirat, Eric Kitchen, Moritz Schmidt, Ian Dundore, Chris Peters, Sandra Aft, Steve Marshall
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[Trag-zjyo]

A course on Shakespeare with an episode for each play is something I would watch.

[Kraflyn]

"... and if it ends with marriage, it's definitely a comedy." XD :D

[angelheart]

I love how the play is titled "Cymboline" but the guy is only in two scenes.

[mayen]

I absolutely, absolutely loved this presentation! To be honest, I don't know too much about the works of Shakespeare, it's not as big a thing in Cameroon. But Michael slayed this presentation, so damn upbeat and witty and... just fun! I enjoyed it big time. There was much laughing, and I just know I am going to be giggling all day.

[ellaser]

"Ten Things I Hate About You" is by far my favorite Shakespeare comedy!

[emilytopham]

Thanks for giving the problem plays and Romances their due! The Winter's Tale is one of my favorites, and you articulate why so excellently!

[danniantagonist]

Lovingly done, and as a once-Portia (the leading lady in Merchant of Venice) I can confirm that problem plays are indeed problematic. But worth the substantial effort. Thank you for this. :-)

[camiloiribarren]

Shakespearean comedies are fun and some are funny. It’s all about giving a good ending. Thanks, Mike

[DuluthTW]

Excellent. I'm going right now to dig out the Shakespeare book I meant to read years ago. Thanks, Mike, CrashCourse folks and sponsors!

[evonvielen]

"Ophelia in the forest (in pants)" is a novel I would love to read...

[jeffreybernath]

Boys dressed as girls dressed as boys. Sounds like a song by Blur.

[kgw]

Love the show, still, I wonder, are you gonna talk about the Spanish Golden Age of Theater, with Lope de Vega and his 500 plays, for example? :)

[USSAnimeNCC-]

"And in the end the queen dies" me: Wut lol

[jazminlado]

im watching this video because my teacher gave me a set of questions to answer from this video dang

[michaelarcaro]

Pretty descent take for the comedies! Overall though, I feel that this one should be split in two - one for the earlier comedies which are more well known to be under that genre and the latter romances and problem plays.

[NoelleMar]

Shakespeare really jumped the shark with Cymbeline. I lost it at, "Thanks, Jupiter!" The amount of suffering Imogen undergoes reminded me of a Lars von Trier movie.

[That_Ozian]

Bottom: Odious
Quince: O D O R O U S

[carenzaprice]

Never audibly laughed at a Thought Bubble before 😂

[therealjish]

One doesn't regret watching 1:56 to 1:59

[sixpomegranateseeds]

Favorite Shakespeare play? A Midsummer Night's Dream. Favorite Shakespeare character? Olivia from Twelft Night. Favorite Shakespeare moment? Romeo and Juliet dying. I swear, I actually laughed out loud during that scene, I'm sorry. Least favorite play? Titus Andronicus. That is, if he wrote it. Favorite adaptation? She's the Man. One of my teachers lent me a huge book with everything ever written by Shakespeare ever. It's awesome!