Royal Shakespeare Company Actors Share Suggestions for Studying Shakespeare

“There is no darkness but ignorance,” proclaims the Fool in Act 4 of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Although the Bard’s plays look “Greek” to most of us, the impeccably trained actors of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) are here to offer “the milk of human kindness” – their wealth of experience and knowledge – to us.

This week, the RSC launched its Homework Help initiative, where students across the globe can submit questions to the RSC’s company of actors about any part of a Shakespearean play, whether it be a particular word, line, or scene, or even a whole play. Alternatively, they can choose to ask about the performative side of Shakespeare, such as acting and direction choices.

If you’ve got a question, all you need to do is email homeworkhelp@rsc.org.uk or submit your question on Twitter with the hashtag #RSCHomeworkHelp by May 10. Next week, “lend [these actors] your ears” as they answer them on the RSC’s website.

Since several Wizarding World alumni are well versed in adapting Shakespeare from page to stage, they are pitching in to share their insights on this rich collection of Muggle literature. Your question could be answered by Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), David Tennant (Barty Crouch, Jr.), or David Bradley (Argus Filch).

Have the numerous Shakespeare references in this article intrigued you? Submit your questions now, and feel free to share them with us in the comments!