Why did Shakespeare write ‘Troilus and Cressida’?: A Conversation with Rachel Aanstad

Episode 202: For today’s guest episode it is a very warm welcome back to Racheal Aanstad. You will remember that Racheal and I have discussed Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the podcast and now she returns to discuss ‘Troilus and Cressida’. As you will hear Racheal was able to bring thoughts about the history of the play and it’s sources, particularly Homer’s Iliad, which, I think, really enhances our understanding of this challenging play. Rachel Aanstad is a writer, artist, historian, and Shakespeare nerd with an MFA in theatre. She is the former Artistic Director of the Rose City Shakespeare Company and the author of A Bawdy Twelfth Night or What You Will Encyclopaedia & Dramaturgical Handbook and A Midsummer N i ght’s Dream Illustrated Handbook and Encyclopaedia . She lives in the Pacific Northwest from where I spoke to her over a zoom call. Link to Shakespeare and Friends on YouTube: Link to A Bawdy Twelfth Night UK: Link to A Bawdy Twelfth Night USA: Link to Midsummer Nights Dream UK: Link to Midsummer Nights Dream USA: Link to Marquee TV RSC Production: Support the podcast at: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Why did Shakespeare write ‘Troilus and Cressida’?: A Conversation with Rachel Aanstad is an episode from The History Of European Theatre by Philip Rowe.

This episode is 41:53 long.

This episode was published on Jan 26, 2026.

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