Shakespeare Study Day: The Merchant of Venice

Booking will close on Friday 26th September 2025 at 12 noon.

Due to limited resources, we are UNABLE TO ACCEPT LATE BOOKINGS after this date.

This course will be held in the Conference Room of Dundee Central library

The Merchant of Venice is a challenging and controversial comedy, with rich critical and performance histories. This day will follow its exploration of where true value lies and examine its thought-provoking mix of romantic comedy and potential tragedy. With the help of close textual analysis, we will discuss its style, imagery, themes and characterization. Clips from several filmed versions will illustrate the play, together with slides from productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Participants are asked to have read the play in advance and to bring a copy with them.

Please bring a snack lunch with you to maximise the time available on the day.

Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided on the day.

Tutor: Rebecca Brown

Before moving to Scotland, Rebecca worked for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, in Stratford upon Avon, where she organized and taught courses on Shakespeare and the literature of his time to a wide range of students, young and old, including many from British and international universities. She often worked in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute. In recent years, Rebecca has taught courses for the Continuing Education programmes of the universities of Dundee and St Andrews.

Course code: 09 111

Enquiries should be sent to: lifelonglearningdundee@gmail.com

As a volunteer organisation with limited resources, we try to respond to all queries as quickly as possible. Please bear with us.