THIS IS A TWO-SEMESTER COURSE.

For the strongest students who are capable of college-level academic work, Royal Fireworks Online Learning offers Michael Clay Thompson’s Level 10, a full year of Shakespeare’s sonnets. In this extraordinary, college-style seminar, students will read all 250 of Shakespeare’s sonnets, as well as all of Shakespeare’s plays that include sonnets. They will explore the language, diction, poetic techniques, and art of Shakespeare’s poetry. They will also get an incomparable introduction to the advanced study of poetry from Michael. They will acquire tools for poetic analysis that will be a lifetime intellectual benefit.

Class Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Fall Semester: August 20 – December 17, 2025
Spring Semester: January 14 – May 13, 2026

Student Expectations: There will be no weekly assignments, but students will be required to contribute to all class discussions. They will also write an MLA research paper at the end of each semester. In addition, students are expected to attend the live class meetings with their cameras turned on. Students who attend class regularly but who miss a live class meeting will be able to access a recording of the class.

Student Support: Michael is available via email.

Feedback/Assessment: Students will be evaluated on their final paper/project.

Materials: Every sonnet is available on the internet at no cost, but students will benefit from owning the Royal Shakespeare Company’s William Shakespeare: Complete Works. The sonnets will also be posted on the course website.