Taking Issue with Shakespeare

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Taking Issue with Shakespeare: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - Taking Issue with Shakespeare, Episode 2

Shakespeare on contemporary issues, contemporary issues on Shakespeare.

Might Shakespeare help resolve some challenging contemporary issues? Major public figures in conversation with Emma Smith. Today, writer Will Self on toxic masculinity and Hamlet.

Major public figures, in conversation with Professor Emma Smith, explore whether Shakespeare might help us resolve some challenging contemporary issues. 

In this second episode, Emma sets out to persuade Will Self that the kind of toxic masculinity expressed by the self-professed misogynist Andrew Tate finds a chilling counterpart in the misogynist play and character, Hamlet.  

Initially, Will is not convinced, but a lively discussion ensues in which the two agree on one thing - the profound impact in Shakespeare’s era of non-gendered child-rearing until the age of seven followed by the “breeching” of boys, which separated them from women and children into their adult lives.

With contributions from Professor Paul Prescott 

Producer: Beaty Rubens 
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Marking the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio.

Professor Emma Smith, sharp, smart, witty and wise invites a guest or two to discuss Shakespeare, 400 years on from the publication of the First Folio

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Taking Issue with Shakespeare

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