A Circuitous Path

The speaker shares their unconventional academic journey, starting with a focus on English literature and Shakespeare, before realizing the limitations of this path. A career crisis led to a fellowship in the United States, where they reconnected with their passion for history. This experience ultimately resulted in a shift back to history, culminating in a PhD under the guidance of Quentin Skinner.

What motivated the narrator to choose English literature over history initially?

• The desire to broaden their understanding of historical periods

• The influence of a mentor

• The availability of scholarships in English literature

• A lack of interest in history

Why did the narrator find focusing solely on Shakespeare limiting?

• They wanted to explore a broader range of topics

• They found Shakespeare's works uninteresting

• They had completed all possible research on Shakespeare

• They were advised by their mentor to switch fields

What was the narrator's initial plan after deciding to leave their PhD program?

• To become a teacher

• To start a business

• To join the civil service

• To travel the world

What was a significant factor in the narrator's decision to apply for a fellowship in the United States?

• The desire to learn a new language

• The opportunity to study under a famous historian

• The advice of a careers advisor

• The chance to escape the British education system

Where did the narrator complete their history PhD?

• Princeton University

• Cambridge University

• Oxford University

• Harvard University