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Brush Up Your Shakespeare

Brush Up Your Shakespeare
Author: Mormon Discussion Inc
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© Intellectual Property Copyright Bill Reel 2017
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Meet the enigmatic and erudite host behind “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – none other than the inimitable Radio Free Mormon (RFM)! With a name that echoes through the airwaves like a literary sonnet, RFM is not your average guide to the world of Shakespeare; he’s a seasoned wordsmith, a literary detective, and your charismatic companion on this journey into the realms of the Bard.
21 Episodes
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Welcome to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we explore the most poignant and memorable moments of the Bard’s masterpieces! In this episode, our insightful host takes you through the final scene sharing Hamlet Act V, Scene 2, with a focus on the moving line: ‘Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to… Read More »“Good Night, Sweet Prince, and Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest”: Hamlet, Act V, scene 2: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 021
This scene takes place entirely in a graveyard! And Shakespeare, sensing things are getting a bit heavy, lightens things up with some comedy between two gravediggers! One of the gravediggers pops up a skull that belonged to the court jester, Yorick, and hands it to Hamlet. This begins one of the most famous vignettes in… Read More »“Alas, Poor Yorick!”: Hamlet, Act V, scene 1: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 020
Laertes returns to Denmark incensed over the murder of his father, Polonius, and seeking revenge. Things go from bad to worse when Laertes finds out that his sister has gone mad and then drowns herself. But Claudius is able to turn the wrath of Laertes away from himself and toward Hamlet, whom Claudius has sent… Read More »“To Cut His Throat I’ Th’ Church”: Hamlet Act IV, scenes 6 & 7: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 019
With Hamlet safely on his way to certain death in England, Claudius must deal with another threat to his throne: Laertes, the son of slain Polonius, is coming back from France to seek revenge for HIS father’s murder, and Laertes has his sights set on Claudius as the likely suspect! Adding to his rage, Laertes… Read More »“When Sorrows Come, They Come Not Single Spies, But In Battalions”: Hamlet, Act IV, scene 5: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 018
This scene contains one of the most brilliant soliloquies in the all of Shakespeare, and it doesn’t start with, “To be or not to be”! Hamlet realizes he has been thinking about revenging his father’s murder too long, and now resolves to take action to kill the King, his uncle, Claudius!
Hamlet killed Polonius in the last scene. The king is now sending Hamlet off to England. But is it just to get Hamlet out of Denmark until things cool down? Or does Claudius have something more sinister in mind? Could Claudius be sending Hamlet on a one-way trip to England? One from which Hamlet will… Read More »Hamlet, Act IV, scenes 1-3: Brush Up Your Shakespeare 016
The tension mounts as Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, summons Hamlet to her chambers after the “Mousetrap” play to demand of her son what he thinks he is up to. Hamlet quickly turns the tables on her, causing her to cry out for help. This causes Polonius, hidden behind the arras in the same room, to… Read More »“Hoist With His Own Petard”: Hamlet, Act III, scene 4: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 015
Welcome back to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we uncover the hidden gems within the Bard’s timeless works! In this episode, our insightful host delves into the depths of Hamlet Act III, Scene 3, with a keen focus on the poignant quote: ‘My words fly up; my thoughts remain below.’ Join us as we explore… Read More »“My Words Fly Up; My Thoughts Remain Below”: Hamlet, Act III, scene 3: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 014
“Welcome back to ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where we delve into the rich tapestry of the Bard’s masterpieces! In this episode, our perceptive host dissects Hamlet Act III, Scene II, with a focus on the famous line: ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’ Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics of deceit, manipulation,… Read More »“The Lady Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks”: Hamlet Act III, scene 2: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 013
Enter into the world of ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare,’ where the host steps into the greatest soliloquy ‘To Be Or Not To Be’. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the emotions, self-reflection, and existential ponderings embedded in this iconic soliloquy. It’s time to brush up on the brilliance of the Bard – your literary… Read More »The Most Famous Soliloquy in Western Literature: “To Be Or Not To Be”: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 012
“Welcome back, enthusiasts of the Bard, to another enlightening episode of ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’! In this edition, our insightful host delves into the complexities of Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, unraveling the intricacies of Shakespeare’s timeless play and noting that “The Play’s the Thing!”. Join us as we explore the nuances of political machinations,… Read More »“The Play’s the Thing”: Hamlet, Act II, scene 2b: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 009
What’s eating Hamlet? That’s what everyone at court is trying to figure out! As the play progresses, the new king, Claudius, gets closer and closer to discovering Hamlet’s secret–that Hamlet has somehow figured out that Claudius murdered his way to the throne by killing Hamlet’s father!
After having gone over this famous soliloquy from Hamlet Act II, scene 2 in the regular podcast, I take some time out here to perform the soliloquy. The rendition may not be stellar, but the soliloquy itself is one of the greatest in the English language!
Join us as we continue our exploration of the greatest of all Shakespeare plays: Hamlet!
In today’s scene, we find Polonius, the King’s counselor, being sneaky and using spies to gain information. It is a habit that not only contrasts with the “wise” Polonius we have already seen in Act I, it is a practice that will eventually lead to his death. Then his daughter, Ophelia, tells Polonius about an… Read More »Hamlet Act II, scene 1: “By Indirections Find Directions Out”: Brush Up Your Shakespeare: 007
The Ghost of Hamlet’s father, the former King of Denmark, finally delivers his message to Hamlet. It is a message of evil, murder, deceit and revenge! It’s enough to drive a bloke bonkers!
Act I, scene 4 finds us back on the castle battlements in the middle of the night keeping watch with Hamlet and Horatio for the Ghost of the dead king. Will the Ghost appear? And if the Ghost does appear, what will it say? Join us to find out!
Join us as we dive into another scene from the most famous of all Shakespeare plays, “Hamlet!” “To thine own self be true!”
Making Shakespeare fun and easy! Join us with our exploration of Hamlet in this overview of Act I, scene 2! 7ipgGMXfmkUUSFfVbJZ1
Today we jump with both feet into the first scene of Hamlet! What other play has a ghost appearing not once, but twice, in the very first scene?! Hamlet is the best play ever written!