Both Shakespeare I and Shakespeare II utilize the textbook, Brightest Heaven of Invention, by Dr. Peter Leithart. Although it is not necessary to purchase the textbook until the second course, it may be purchased at any time by clicking to the Canon Press on-line bookstore.

Dr. Leithart, Head of Shakespearean Studies at ClassicalFree Virtual Academy, has been an "unabashed fan" of Shakespeare for over a decade. He writes from the perspective of years of teaching Shakespeare from a Christian perspective at both the high school and college levels. Writing as he does through the grid of a Biblical world view, Dr. Leithart is unrivaled in his unique ability to interpret Shakespeare with clarity and enthusiasm. We are convinced that that enthusiasm will become yours as well as you work your way through these courses.

Both courses require assigned readings in the textbook and reading of the plays. The book covers six of Shakespeare's most popular plays - two histories, two tragedies, and two comedies. Each course consists of one history, one tragedy and one comedy. We will leave the introduction to Shakespeare to Dr. Leithart himself and will concern ourselves primarily with administrative details in this brief Course Introduction.

During the Introductory course you will work your way through each play, an act at a time. You will gain most from the material if you first read Dr. Leithart's commentary on the Act, then click to the Act itself and read it, then return to the non-graded, summary review exercise. After you work through the entire play in this manner, you may click to the 25-question graded quiz for the play. Additional written exercises are also provided for the student who desires to delve deeper into the meaning and applications of each play.

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