Documentary

Simon Schama's Shakespeare

Simon Schama explores the life and times of William Shakespeare to shed a new and fascinating light on some of the greatest plays ever written. He asks the question: "What came first, Englishness, or Shakespeare's idea of it?" and produces a persuasive argument in favour of the latter.

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Created By

Simon Schama

Status

Ended

Original Name

Simon Schama's Shakespeare

First Air Date

June 22, 2012

Last Air Date

June 29, 2012

Seasons

1

Episodes

2

Language

English

Production Companies

Oxford Film and TelevisionBBC

Networks

BBC Two

Hollow Crowns
S01E02

Hollow Crowns

Simon Schama explores Shakespeare’s attitude to the other great subject of his day - Kingship. He asks how far Shakespeare’s most profound tragedies, including Richard II, Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, were inspired by his own experience of writing for the courts of Elizabeth and James I.

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