An interactive conversation with Sir Ian McKellen on Shakespeare's Richard III

by Derek Spencer

This interactive presentation is great for teaching Shakespeare beyond the written page:

Sir Ian McKellen discusses Shakespeare's Richard III

This is . . . very, very cool.

Not only does Sir Ian McKellen break down the opening speech from Richard III line by line, he discusses the importance and historical accuracy of the play, explains the relationship between Shakespeare's dramatic methods and the methods used by modern filmmakers, and more. This presentation is a fantastic resource — your students get to listen to a wonderful actor recite famous lines, so they can hear for themselves how a professional would interpret the cadence of Shakespeare's writing.

Check it out if you have a moment — this is something you could definitely use in your classroom, and it's free (always a plus)!

Thanks for reading!