Advertise on podcast: Julian Girdham

The 4th episode looks at the final part of Act 1 scene 3, a conversation between Roderigo and Iago, which is followed crucially by the latter's first soliloquy. More at www.juliangirdham.com.

This episode is on the first part of Act 1 scene 3, the first of the quasi-judicial scenes in the play, in which the Duke of Venice shows how to exercise judgment correctly. More on www.juliangirdham.com.

Othello is calm when faced with Brabantio's accusations. Later, we see how similar they are in their certainty about falsehoods. More as always on www.juliangirdham.com.

The first scene in Othello in a series which will look at the whole play.

It's the perfect time of the year to re-read the masterpiece ode by John Keats, 'To Autumn'.

The final episode: the cataclysmic events which define this play and mark it as Shakespeare's darkest tragedy.

The penultimate episode, number 11, looks at Act 4 scene 7, and Act 5 scenes 1 and 2, a relatively quiet section between the tumultuous Act 4 scene 6 and the climax of the play.

In episode 10 I whizz through three quick scenes first - Act 4, scenes 3, 4 and 5, and then pay proper attention to the immense and complex scene 6.

Here, I look at Act 4 scene 1 in the aftermath of Gloucester's blinding, and in addressing Act 4 scene 2 give an overview of Albany's character through the play.

The notorious brutalising of Gloucester in Act 3 scene 7 opens up a consideration of images of blindness and seeing throughout the play - a key idea.

Episode 7 of King Lear scene by scene looks at Act 3 scene 4 (the second one in the storm) and scene 6 (the mock trial). Scene 5 is skipped - little to say.

We move into Act 3 with the first three scenes, and in scene 2 into the storm which dominates the central part of the play.

In this episode, I look at the very significant but very short Act 2 scene 3, followed by the much more meaty Act 2 scene 4. They are both connected by the idea ‘nothing’.

This time, three short scenes which mark Lear’s growing isolation, and a sense that darker forces are gathering strength: Act 1 scene 5, Act 2 scene 1 and Act 2 scene 2.

Act 1 scene 3 (briefly) and scene 4 are the focus this time: themes of loyalty and service, and of course of blindness, which is everywhere. Also, dog-owners look away.