QUEEN CHARLOTTE’S VILLEINS
Shakespeare Resources & Recommendations
Navigating the world of the Bard can be as complex as a five-act tragedy. To help our troupe and fellow students find their footing, we’ve hand-picked this collection of our favorite tools, texts, and adaptations.
We’ve included “Our Thoughts” for every entry to help you understand exactly what you’re getting into and why we recommend it.
We hope these resources help you find as much joy in the work as we do.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at no additional cost to you, Queen Charlotte’s Villeins may earn a small commission if you click through from our site and make a purchase.
What do you recommend?
If you’ve got a personal favorite that’s not included below, please let us know.
READING & UNDERSTANDING
ARDEN EDITIONS of SHAKESPEARE’S WORKS
Media
Books
Description
The Arden Shakespeare provide Complete Works compilations, as well as individual editions of each play. They are currently on their Third Series, as of this writing.
Our Thoughts
There are many published versions of Shakespeare’s works. The individual Arden editions of each play provide useful, thorough (but not overwhelming) footnotes which provide definitions, explanations, context, and discrepancies all in one place. It is not nearly as intense and intimidating as the New Variorum editions, but it is far more useful and thorough than other publishers who provide mere definitions.
This is not to say that the Arden editions are perfect or that their interpretations are Gospel, but it is an excellent starting place for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of what they are reading.
NOTE: The Arden “Complete Works” are NOT as thorough as their versions of the individual plays.
NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE
Media
Books / Online Resource
Description
No Fear Shakespeare provides printed and online versions of the works where one page contains Shakespeare’s text, while the opposite page contains a paraphrased, modern English “translation.”
Our Thoughts
Shakespeare’s writing is very complex, so any attempt to simplify it will necessarily be somewhat simplified. These books are useful as a starting point and a way to get the general gist of the meaning. While they are especially good for beginners or for a quick reference on a particularly challenging piece of text, there is frequently much that can be “lost in translation.” They are rarely “wrong,” per se, but their oversimplifications run the risk of minimizing the meaning. Use them, but don’t swear by them.
NEW VARIORUM SHAKESPEARE
Media
Online Resource
Description
Discover the “gold standard” of Shakespearean scholarship through the New Variorum Shakespeare, a 150-year legacy now reimagined as a cutting-edge, open-access digital resource. Hosted by Texas A&M University, this interactive platform invites you to explore centuries of textual variants, critical commentary, and stage history through sophisticated search tools and immersive visualizations. Whether you are a student or a lifelong researcher, visit the site today to access a global ecosystem of historical editions and multimedia archives that bring the evolution of Shakespeare’s work to life like never before.
Our Thoughts
Not for the casual reader. The depth and scale of the footnotes in the New Variorum editions is positively stunning. And once you become accustomed to how they are structured, they tell a story of scholarship throughout history that is fascinating and illuminating in-and-of itself, above and beyond what they also reveal about the works of Shakespeare.
CONTEXT & HISTORY
SHAKESPEARE ALIVE!
Media & Details
Book
Joseph Papp
1988
Description
The lengthy subtitle says it well: “America’s Foremost Theater Producer Brings Shakespeare’s England to Life.”
Our Thoughts
A quick and easy read that provides one of the most crucial and underestimated elements of Shakespeare study: Cultural Context. Understanding the world in which Shakespeare and his audience lived, worked, and wrote should be the first step in any study, making everything that follows that much easier.
1000 YEARS of ENGLISH HISTORY in FOUR HOURS
Media & Details
Documentary
1988
Description
(from YouTube)
In six episodes this documentary series covers the 41 kings and queens of England from 1066 to the present — almost 1000 years of monarchs. It shows how the history of the UK was reflected by the history of their monarchs. This UKTV History program covers the more intimate natures of the persons behind the monarchy. It shows how those privileged few have shaped the UK and made the UK what it is today.
Our Thoughts
This very dense video series requires your full attention. Blink and you may get a little lost, because there is a little bit of doubling-back that takes place throughout the series. But is very rewarding. It provides a reasonably comprehensive context for Royal Line, making the History Plays all the more comprehensible.
PERFORMING SHAKESPEARE
PLAYING SHAKESPEARE
Media & Details
Video Series / Book
by John Barton
1984
Description
The televised PLAYING SHAKESPEARE series presented by John Barton and the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982. It contains invaluable insights from Barton, who served as Artistic Director and Director for the RSC for many years; as well as insights from participating performers including Judi Dench, Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, David Suchet, Ben Kingsley and more.
Our Thoughts
We recommend watching the video series and using the book as a supplement for review and reflection. This series is an invaluable and crucial resource for every Shakespearean scholar and performer.
The ELOQUENT SHAKESPEARE
Media & Details
Book
by Gary Logan
2012
Description
(from Amazon)
The Eloquent Shakespeare aims to untie those tongues and help anyone speak Shakespeare’s language with ease. More than 17,500 entries make it the most comprehensive pronunciation guide to Shakespeare’s words, from the common to the arcane. Each entry is written in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and represents standard American pronunciations, making this dictionary perfect for North American professionals or non-native speakers of American English.
Our Thoughts
TBD.
VOCABULARY
SHAKESPEARE’S WORDS: A Glossary and Language Companion
Media & Details
Book
by David Crystal & Ben Crystal
2002
Description
(from Amazon)
A vital resource for scholars, students and actors, this book contains glosses and quotes for over 14,000 words that could be misunderstood by or are unknown to a modern audience. Displayed panels look at such areas of Shakespeare’s language as greetings, swear-words and terms of address. Plot summaries are included for all Shakespeare’s plays and on the facing page is a unique diagramatic representation of the relationships within each play.
Our Thoughts
It’s basically a dictionary dedicated solely to the words used by Shakespeare. Each entry cites where each word appears in each play. This is an excellent resource to have on the shelf, but with the internet, we find that our copy tends to stay on the shelf more often than not. But if you prefer a tactile tome for your reference, there’s no better guide.
BIOGRAPHY
WILL IN THE WORLD: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare
Media & Details
Book
by Stephen Greenblatt
2016
Description
Building and commenting on the traditional biographies of Shakespeare, this thoroughly-researched update to prior biographies provides fresh eyes to long-maintained assumptions about the life and works of Shakespeare.
Our Thoughts
Whether this is your first Shakespeare biography or just the most recent, Greenblatt’s approach paints a vivid picture of Will’s world and how his inspiration may have derived from it, clearly laying out the sources of his conclusions along the way. If you are interested in a deeper, richer picture of how the man behind the plays, filling in gaps that older biographies may have missed (or gotten wrong), we recommend WILL IN THE WORLD.
ANALYSIS
SHAKESPEARE: The Invention of the Human
Media & Details
Book
by Harold Bloom
1999
Description
(from Amazon)
Preeminent literary critic-and ultimate authority on the western literary tradition, Harold Bloom leads us through a comprehensive reading of every one of the dramatist’s plays, brilliantly illuminating each work with unrivaled warmth, wit and insight. At the same time, Bloom presents one of the boldest theses of Shakespearean scholarships: that Shakespeare not only invented the English language, but also created human nature as we know it today.
Our Thoughts
TBD.
PORTRAYALS
HAMNET
Media & Details
Book
by Maggie O’Farrel
2012
Description
This well-researched, fictionalized novel tells the story of Shakespeare’s relationship with his wife, herein called “Agnes,” centering on the tragic death of their son Hamnet, and the conception of the play that bears a version of his name.
Our Thoughts
Adapted into a major motion picture in 2025, HAMNET is perhaps one the best fictionalized imaginings of Shakespeare’s world.
UPSTART CROW
Media & Details
TV Series
by Ben Elton
2016
Description
(from Wikipedia)
Upstart Crow is a British sitcom based on the life of William Shakespeare written by Ben Elton. The show premiered on 9 May 2016 on BBC Two[1] as part of the commemorations of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Its title quotes “an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers”, a critique of Shakespeare by his rival Robert Greene in the latter’s Groats-Worth of Wit.
The show is set from 1592 (the year of Greene’s quotation) onwards. Shakespeare is played by David Mitchell; his wife, Anne Hathaway, is played by Liza Tarbuck; and Greene himself by Mark Heap. Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, is played by Harry Enfield. The first series was directed by Matt Lipsey, with subsequent series being directed by Richard Boden.
Our Thoughts
While this comedic take on Shakespeare is rarely historically accurate, its silliness is balanced by its well-informed brilliance. And it’s strewn with “deep cut” jokes and references that are deeply satisfying to anyone who’s spent time studying the kind of material we recommend on this page. This unserious look at how self-serious the character of Shakespeare might have been is a refreshing and delightful escape from dense, heavy-handed texts and melodramatic interpretations.
PERFORMANCES
MARQUEE TV
Media
Streaming Platform
Description
Often called the “Netflix for the arts,” Marquee TV is a premium streaming platform that provides on-demand access to world-class ballet, opera, theater, and classical music. It serves as a digital stage for prestigious institutions like the Royal Opera House and the Royal Shakespeare Company, offering users a mix of full-length performances, exclusive masterclasses, and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
Our Thoughts
We cannot recommend this enough. Having the opportunity to watch professionally recorded productions featuring some of the world’s most well-trained and effective performances is invaluable.
As of this writing, some of our favorites include the MACBETH starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, RICHARD III starring Arthur Hughes, and Henry IV parts 1 & 2 starring Antony Sher as Falstaff. But you would be hard-pressed to find a production on Marquee that isn’t a master-class in Shakespeare unto itself.
SHAKESPEARE SOLOS – Monologue Series
Media & Details
Performance Presentations
from GUARDIAN CULTURE
2016
Description
The Guardian produced this video monologue series featuring a variety of actors to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Our Thoughts
The performances are wonderful and good for a quick dose of the bard, or as a reference for anyone studying one of the many monologues available.
KISS ME, PETRUCHIO
Media & Details
Performance Documentary
by Joseph Papp
1979
Description
This one-hour documentary presents selections from and reflections on Wilford Leach’s 1978 Delacorte Theater production of TAMING OF THE SHREW for the New York Shakespeare Festival, starring Meryl Streep and Raul Julia.
Our Thoughts
It doesn’t get much better than watching a young Meryl Streep and Raul Julia perform and discuss their performances of SHREW. See a kind of “greatest hits” of filmed on-stage scenes, intercut with backstage interviews. And if that’s not enough, you also get a glimpse into the world of 1978 New York, as theatergoers line up in Central Park for hours to see these centuries-old words brought to life. SHREW is a divisive and challenging piece for many reasons, and this version comes up in every discussion we have about it.
SHAKESPEARE’S SOURCES
METAMORPHOSES
Media & Details
Book
by Ovid
8
Description
(from Wikipedia)
The Metamorphoses is a Latin narrative poem from 8 CE by the Roman poet Ovid. It is considered his magnum opus. The poem chronicles the history of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar in a mythico-historical framework comprising over 250 myths.
The Metamorphoses is one of the most influential works in Western culture. It has inspired such authors as Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Geoffrey Chaucer, and William Shakespeare. Numerous episodes from the poem have been depicted in works of sculpture, painting, and music, especially during the Renaissance. There was a resurgence of attention to Ovid’s work near the end of the 20th century. The Metamorphoses continues to inspire and be retold through various media.
Our Thoughts
This is recommended reading, in general. Plus, having easy access to the way Shakespeare drops references to Greco-Roman mythology as presented in the Metamorphoses not only deepens one’s comprehension of material, but in a much more fun way, lets one “in on the joke.” Shakespeare drops references to this material in the way we drop pop-culture references today.
There are many versions to choose from.
HOLINSHED’s CHRONICLES: The Historie of England
Media & Details
Book
by Raphael Holinshed
1577 / 1587
Description
(from Wikipedia)
Holinshed’s Chronicles, also known as Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, is a collaborative work published in several volumes and two editions, the first edition in 1577, and the second in 1587. It was a large, comprehensive description of British history published in three volumes (England, Scotland and Ireland).
The Chronicles have been a source of interest because of their extensive links to Shakespearean history, as well as King Lear, Macbeth and Cymbeline.
Our Thoughts
Not for the casual reader, but fascinating if you’re interested in reading the words Shakespeare read, while he was dreaming up his scenes.
RELATED RESOURCES
Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology Series
Media & Details
Books
by Stephen Fry
2017-2024
Description
Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology series is a witty and accessible retelling of the classical Greek canon, characterized by his signature erudition and conversational charm. The series began with Mythos (2017), which vividly breathes life into the birth of the universe and the squabbles of the Olympian gods, followed by Heroes (2018), a collection that chronicled the daring and often tragic exploits of mortals like Perseus and Heracles. The initial trilogy concluded with Troy (2020), a sweeping narrative of the legendary ten-year siege sparked by Helen’s abduction, though Fry has since expanded the collection with the release of Odyssey (2024) to follow the arduous journey of Odysseus.
Our Thoughts
These are wonderful re-tellings of these tales. And if you like audio books, Fry reads them himself, and they are likewisde wonderful; not to mention being full of cheeky jokes, like giving Scottish accents to the Cretans. He also makes sure to emphasize the enormous impact that these stories still have on us today, frequently pointing out how the names of these characters live on in modern language. If you want to familiarize yourself with these stories for the first time, or hear them again in an entirely new way, we cannot recommend this series highly enough.
The REST is HISTORY
Media & Details
Podcast
by Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook
Description
Hosted by historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, the podcast blends deep scholarly expertise with the effortless chemistry of two friends debating at a pub. Whether they are deconstructing the rise of the Nazis, exploring the legends of King Arthur, or hosting a “World Cup of Dictators,” they move seamlessly between profound cultural analysis and witty, irreverent banter. It’s the rare show that can make a multi-part series on the fall of the Roman Republic feel as bingeable as a modern thriller, proving that the most “bonkers” stories are the ones that actually happened
Our Thoughts
While the podcast is not limited to the eras surrounding and related to Shakespeare, there are several episodes that are extremely relevant, including one on Elizabeth I. In another episode on the history of humor, a concise narrative is laid out explaining clearly defining the “natural fool” versus the more cognizant comedians at court, and how the latter broke off to become the first traveling comedians, their work evolving into the beginnings of what we know as theatre today.
All that and much, much more.
FROM our FRIENDS
ILLYRIA series
Media & Details
Book Series
by Armin Shimerman
2020-2023
Description
The Illyria series by Armin Shimerman is a meticulously researched historical fantasy trilogy that reimagines the “lost years” of William Shakespeare through a lens of Elizabethan espionage and literary homage. The story follows the unlikely partnership between the historical polymath and occultist Dr. John Dee and a young, struggling playwright named Will, as they are dispatched by the Queen’s spymaster to the mysterious island of Illyria to root out religious sedition. A clever play on Twelfth Night, the series weaves iconic Shakespearean characters like Count Orsino and Malvolio into a dangerous world of political intrigue, alchemy, and shifting loyalties. Across the three novels—Betrayal of Angels, A Sea of Troubles, and Imbalance of Power—Shimerman uses his expertise as a Shakespearean scholar to explore how a young Will might have honed the wit and insight that eventually defined his greatest works.
Our Thoughts
While he’s famous for his work on such shows as Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and more; we know Armin as a mentor, and one of our original “Villeins,” as part of our original Pandemic study group. As a member of the Antaeus Theatre, he also teaches Shakespeare study and rhetoric courses with the Antaeus Academy from time to time, which we highly recommend, as well.
The novels, while fiction, are filled with fascinating insights into the Elizabethan era. For us Shakespeare lovers, not only does it provide a delightful imagining of a young and burgeoning bard; but it also demonstrates and applies a lifetime’s worth of research into the mechanisms and tensions of the faith, politics, obsessions, class dynamics, and daily life of the era.
UPON the CORNER of the MOON: a Tale of the Macbeths
Media & Details
Book
by Valerie Nieman
2025
Description
(from Goodreads)
At the dawn of the second millennium, two royal Scottish children are swept away from their families— Macbeth to the perilous royal court of his grandfather, and Gruach to the remnants of the goddess-worshiping Picts. Macbeth learns that blood bonds are easily severed while Gruach finds her path only to lose it when she’ s summoned back to the patriarchal world. Each struggle with gaining and losing power, guided and misguided by prophecy and politics as their paths converge in a fiery bid for royal succession.Upon the Corner of the Moon separates literary legend from reality, immersing readers in a story about the real rulers who changed the face of Scotland. Some legends are true, and the truth sometimes becomes a legend— or a lie. This novel masterfully dovetails the Macbeth legend and the truth without sacrificing either.
Our Thoughts
We collaborated with Valerie for our May 2025 NIGHTS of VILLEINY: Upon the Corner of the Moon performance, during which we presented scenes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth to supplement, parallel, and contrast readings and insights from the author. We recommend this book to lovers of the lore and history that inspired one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces.
