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That Shakespeare Life

Cassidy Cash
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Early Modern England
Elizabethan England
Elizabeth I
Macbeth
Anne Hathaway
Tudor England
Golf
Legal History
Eels
Travel In Shakespeare's England
Hamlet
Food History
London
16th Century England
Paracelsus
Medicine
Shakespeare's Works
Cultural Exchange

Hosted by Cassidy Cash, That Shakespeare Life takes you behind the curtain and into the real life of William Shakespeare.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes430Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

In Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, Hotspur delivers a chilling threat against King Richard:

"I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak Nothing but 'Mortimer,' and give it him To keep his anger still in motion."

It's a line rooted in the pol... more

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In Shakespeare's Othello, the Second Senator in Act One warns of a Turkish fleet bearing down on Cyprus. Later in that same scene, the Duke of Venice remarks, "The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the pl... more

YouTube

In Shakespeare's plays, we see 6 total references to tennis. Polonius mentions an argument over a tennis game in Hamlet. Henry V and Pericles talk about tennis courts and there's even a couple of references to "tennis balls" showing up in Shakespeare... more

YouTube

Shakespeare's only reference to Easter comes up in Romeo and Juliet Act III when Mercutio talks about buying a new doublet for Easter. Despite only a single reference to this holiday, for the people of 16-17th century England, Easter was a major even... more

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Recent Guests

Laurence Grove
Professor of French and Text Image Studies at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Episode: Courts, Rackets, Balls, and Rules: The Game of Tennis in the 16th Century
Peter Marshall
Author of Reformation England 1480 to 1642 and professor at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
Episode: Easter in Shakespeare's England: Faith, Feasting, and a New Doublet
Teresa Grant
Director of the Center for the Study of the Renaissance; Professor of Renaissance Theatre, University of Warwick
University of Warwick
Episode: Monkeys and Apes in Shakespeare's England
Julia Martins
Public historian specializing in early modern European history
Living History by Julia Martins
Episode: Children's Toys and Games in Tudor England:
Susan Amussen
Distinguished professor of history at the University of California, Merced
University of California, Merced
Episode: How HIstorians Know Shakespeare is Shakespeare
Jörg Rüpke
German professor of comparative religion and classical philology, author of Pantheon
University affiliations discussed in episode
Episode: Ides of March in Renaissance England
Dr. Jane Desborough
curator of scientific instruments at the Science Museum in London
Science Museum London
Episode: Three Hours Too Soon: How Shakespeare Kept Time
Dr. Charmian Mansell
Historian and lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Sheffield.
University of Sheffield
Episode: Hoof, Boat, & Shoe: Travel in Shakespeare's England
Dr. Kate Kelsey Staples
Author of The Significance of Secondhand Trade in Europe 1200-1600
Episode: Second Hand Shops: How Old Wares Were Redistributed in Shakespeare's England

Host

Cassidy Cash
Host of That Shakespeare Life with focus on Shakespearean biography and history

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 83 ratings
  • What a great show!

    What a great show! It’s a 360 degree tour of Shakespeare’s era - excellent guests and host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hellstromuser
    Canada2 years ago
  • Great concept, annoying delivery

    Love this concept and the content is fascinating. However, the delivery - the showbiz theme tune, very American vibe, and repetitive introduction - are quite annoying, at least to me (a British listener). They seem very detached from the genuinely interesting subject matter which is a shame - but maybe that’s just me. Why not have a more Shakespearean theme tune?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    TM195
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • ROUND OF APPLAUSE!

    Let’s give a huge round of applause to this remarkable show. Entertaining, so well researched, informative, fun & unique! I love this host, as as a fellow American Shakespearean scholar I’m always stunned by how much I learn from these episodes… this, coming from a woman who has studied this man professionally/academically! She blows me away with her knowledge and most of all passion that oozes from the presentation in each episode. Never stop this series. Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cinderelochka
    United States2 years ago
  • Love the show!

    This has become one of my favorite podcasts and I look forward to it each week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bad at Thinking of Nicknames
    United States3 years ago
  • Fun and informative!

    This is exactly what I was looking for in my search for a Shakespeare podcast- an in-depth look at the history and culture of his time. The interview style makes for easy listening while still offering a lot of insight!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cpmnc
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host asks incisive questions and guides conversations with clarity and curiosity.
Listeners praise accessible, narrative-rich exploration of historical contexts.
High production quality and consistently engaging scholarly discussions.
Guests are deeply knowledgeable and bring historical depth that enriches understanding of Shakespeare.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#188
South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Children's Toys and Games in Tudor England:
Q: Could you name a few specific toys that illustrate everyday life for Tudor children?
She highlights wooden toys like hobby horses, dolls (including Bartholomew babies), windmills made from paper or thin wood, toy soldiers, and game pieces for Nine Men's Morris, chess, and backgammon, all of which show how play intersected with family life, gender roles, and education.
Children's Toys and Games in Tudor England:
Q: What are some resources you can recommend for us to explore Tudor games further?
Dr. Martins recommends Nicholas Orme's work for accessible, example-filled histories; Anthony Fletcher's Growing Up in England; and museum resources such as the Museum of London Docklands and the Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood, plus the Museum of London Archaeology blog for ongoing posts about toys.
How HIstorians Know Shakespeare is Shakespeare
Q: What was unusual about the Lord Chamberlain's Men, King's Men, and the way Shakespeare fit into that structure?
The troupe offered unusual stability; members often worked together for many years, and Shakespeare's role as both writer and actor within that stable company allowed him to build wealth, acquire property, and gain patronage, contrasting with other playwrights who rented their work to multiple companies.
Ides of March in Renaissance England
Q: How did Elizabethans receive the death of Caesar given the religious climate and political sensitivities of the era?
Shakespeare was careful with political messaging during Elizabeth I's reign, presenting tyrannicide as a double-edged topic that could be read as both a cautionary tale and a nuanced critique of power, while maintaining order and clemency as themes.
New Year's Gifts at the Court of Elizabeth I
Q: How did the New Year exchanges help Elizabeth maintain her authority?
The exchanges allowed her to manage rivalries among courtiers and ensured everyone focused on demonstrating their loyalty to the Queen.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About That Shakespeare Life

What is That Shakespeare Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history-focused interview show that explores the world behind Shakespeare's life, drawing on rigorous scholarship, archival research, and expert interpretation. Episodes frequently feature historians, curators, and literary scholars who unpack attribution, timekeeping, travel, court culture, and the social context of Elizabethan and Jacobean England. Listeners gain a richly contextual portrait of Shakespeare's era through academic guests, intimate discussions of primary sources, and practical takes on how historical evidence informs performance and storytelling. The program often stands out for its detailed explorations of niche topics (like rogue cant, gift culture at court, and the Ides of March) and its ability to connect scholarly ins... more

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That Shakespeare Life launched 8 years ago and published 430 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on That Shakespeare Life?

Recent guests on That Shakespeare Life include:

1. Laurence Grove
2. Peter Marshall
3. Teresa Grant
4. Julia Martins
5. Susan Amussen
6. Jörg Rüpke
7. Dr. Jane Desborough
8. Dr. Charmian Mansell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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