I want to explore Shakespeare's exploration of gender in his plays, exploring his presentation of women and men in his plays; discussing these questions: what was the historical context he was writing in; how should we respond in today's climate; what does Macbeth say about 'manliness' or strong women? is Hamlet a misogynist? what's with all the cross-dressing? We will also be looking at 'King Lear', 'Twelfth Night', 'As You Like It', 'The Winter's Tale', 'Othello', 'The Tempest' and 'The taming of the Shrew'.