If you really want to know Shakespeare, you have to step inside his world.

Ranked the #1 Shakespeare History Podcast In The World

“I listened to some of your podcasts yesterday and am impressed by the quality. I think it’s great that you are engaging serious scholars and doing this work.”
J. Lupton

Professor, University of California Irvine

“You have hands-down the best Shakespeare website on the internet, and you are doing such an incredible job of communicating Shakespeare to the world.”
D. Schajer

Shakespeare historian and author, www.shakespearesolved.blogspot.com

“I have been listening to your podcast and will in all future Shakespeare courses assign some of the episodes. Just so smart and fun and useful.”
R. Totaro

Professor and Journal Editor, Florida Gulf Coast University and Penn State University Press

Throwing Down Your Gauntlet Glove, A History

Throwing Down Your Gauntlet Glove, A History

by | May 25, 2026 | ,

In Shakespeare’s plays, he uses the word “gauntlet” a total of 6 times. In one instance, the stage directions declare that a character “throws down his gauntlet.” In Hamlet, stage directions again refer to a gauntlet by saying that attendants bring "foils and...

How to Insult Someone Like Shakespeare

How to Insult Someone Like Shakespeare

by | May 18, 2026 | ,

Zounds! Your Bunched Back toad! In Shakespeare’s plays we find a hoard of truly fabulous one liners, zingers, and impressive insults that frequent the lips of our favorite characters.  When they were written in the 16th century, some of the words we find most...

Cosmetic Treatments for Renaissance Women

Cosmetic Treatments for Renaissance Women

by | May 11, 2026 | ,

In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet declares “Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek” Katherina in Taming of the Shrew talks about painting your face, and Timon of Athens makes a connection between painting and your face...