There are countless situations in Shakespeare’s plays, that can be put into the category of ‘the human condition’ – part of what it means to be human, something that never changes from century to century, or country to country, despite all the differences in knowledge, culture and emphasis. This is one good reason why Shakespeare’s plays continue to be performed, not just in Englishspeaking countries, but also in translation throughout the world. This course will explore why, with close reference to three plays and their characters, interacting in scenes that reflect real human dilemmas.