House of Cards Explained: Shakespeare, History & Guilty Pleasure

House of Cards gets its power from a few key elements: the Shakespearean magnitude, historical and present political mirrors, the dark and extra-dirty world, and the guilty pleasure of rooting for its deliciously wicked central couple. This contains Spoilers for Seasons 1-4 (no Season 5 spoilers). Sign up to our email newsletter for updates on new videos, fun film trivia, giveaways, longform content, events and more! bit.ly/2oVVB1Q
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[@starwarfan8342]

I love the sheer hypocrisy of their names. Frank (truthful, honest) and Claire (clear, transparent, pure)

[@1010megadanny]

i never even realised that before!

[@kpimkpim349]

wow, never caught that

[@hansellancephilippe4075]

Thank you so much, it makes house of cards behind the curtains leave crumbs of creativity.

[@rasarmusic1]

😳🤯

[@quietstorm7684]

😐😐😐

[@telmut247]

Kevin Spacey, despite all the scandal, is a phenomenal actor...

[@JaneyJJJ]

Been acting like a human for a while now...

[@MrLP3xp3rt]

@Qwerty123 he is not guilty so stfu

[@janwouter5215]

This comment didn't age well

[@telmut247]

Jan Wouter why not? I reckon it is still valid unless you have reason to dispute him being a great actor that we aren’t privy to...

[@janwouter5215]

@@telmut247 well turned out he was innocent so comments like this didn't age well. He is just a great actor nothing else. Sadly, we will never see him perform again.

[@TweezerStreet]

Gotta share this when people say that HoC is a boring drama. It is fantastic and this video helps prove that point. Thank you!

[@TweezerStreet]

@@rupeshdalal7426 Nope. Might be good to have some background of how the us government is set up, but it's a gripping tale regardless.

[@henrychan3394]

OUTSTANDING analysis! Loved every bit of the video.

[@mequable]

absolutely!

[@amiralamosadeghi8131]

ditto

[@WiseAilbhean]

There are times when I'm watching this show and just get mesmerized by the camera angles and set lighting choices. They rarely seem to use much overhead harsh lights. Most of scenes are either filled with light that looks natural or dark and accented with low lights at eye level. It has a cozy look which contrasts vastly from the story and characters. Seriously, that Underwood's home looks really cozy but far from it. Matter of fact is so clean cut like a museum it's quiet uneasy. Unfortunately I feel I would still design my home like that. XD

[@tyrellrivera]

When Lady MacBeth recites, "unsex me," it has nothing to do with primal desire. She is invoking the strength and courage of a man in order to carry out her wicked deeds unrepentant. During those times, men were portrayed as the dominant sex who embodied strength and courage.

[@gabymerman9005]

And yet, the other interpretation is also interesting.

[@0ohoaxo0]

when claire said "im next" to the cam, I shat my pants

[@robertbaratheon2193]

“my turn” but close enough.

[@duantorruellas716]

The lighting and the shots are incredible. The science of conveying emotion and mood with shadow and light, as well as color temperature is key here. And used very well in the angles and symmetry of the compositions . Only to Match the overall star power and great writing for this amazing series spacey showing the pure sharpness and range as well as awesome timing. Clares also played by a vet of subtle excellence. These pros bring the real along with the entire cast. Art imitates life here with grace. Good stuff.

[@BehindTheFrames]

Honestly this channel should be huge! Your videos have never let me down 😍

[@thetake]

+SinginHuman Thanks! That's our goal!

[@adrianrice2177]

"It's the other way around. . ." was one of my favorite scenes

[@brohem03]

and all this man wanted was Secretary of State.

[@netocont4830]

Tight. Let's go watch season 5!!

[@CS-pg4go]

I usually can never get passed a 10 min video but damn this one is so well made. Great job

[@JH-gv8lx]

Absolutely fantastic analysis. I particularly liked the points on their relationship and how it moves from Frank using Claire to Frank and Claire working together.

[@adamm2091]

It is interesting how as their relationship deteriorates, so does the quality of the show. Frank and Claire climbing together *was* the show. As they took the show in the direction that you explain in the last minutes, as well as S5, it seems to lose much of it's depth, gravity and interest.

[@youngwolf6896]

This is the best KZbin video I have ever seen. Hours and hours must have gone into making this. Great job.

[@virenpathre]

I'm offering hugs to anyone who is watching this video after watching season 6 :'/

[@ryanwilder4327]

this is an absolutely amazing video. such in depth analysis that I never even remotely stumbled upon that goes far beyond the metaphor of Shakespearean works and into the mise en scene of the show. bravo

[@jnru3ns4N3]

I love this series so and thank you for dedicating an episode to this. 🙌🏾

[@mbe102]

Something wicked certainly that way came.

[@andreblackaller3560]

Stadium ARTs child abuse lol

[@lanaalba8392]

Great analysis of a complex subject!

[@hazel43717]

Great video, but as someone who is hard of hearing it's rather distracting and difficult to grasp everything you're saying when you're talking over clips of the actors talking. Perhaps you could keep this in mind for your next video. :)

[@MarioRossiAncora]

Hazel Allen Agreed. Loved the analysis, but they could have lowered the audio of the clips when talking over them.

[@ruddiko]

ADHD?

[@rasarmusic1]

ruddiko Maybe you have ADHD? The first thing Hazel wrote was that she’s hard of hearing. It’s not about focus.

[@amistrophy]

English subs are out :p Just took a few years...

[@sacmakiz]

Wonderful analysis!!! I just watched the fifth season of HOC and I am still living in the blue & yellow clouds of cold heartedness..

[@athee569]

Screen Prism is now my favourite channel on KZbin ! Fascinating insights

[@SunshineSML]

We do MacBeth in school and I just thought that House of Cards is just MacBeth in the modern day

[@patm9426]

Great analysis, narration is excellent and the voice is smooth

[@JPActivity]

Analysis was really great in this and I was very impressed! I actually did my own with a particular focus on the latest season however not with the same depth as yours!

[@martinachan7719]

EXCELLENT analysis. Could you do more after season 5 ?

[@avedic]

This was SO well done! I've seen a few of this channel's videos, and now this one clinches it for me....just subscribed! Keep up the great work...this is truly intelligent creative interesting content and analysis.

[@MrUFXO]

I just discovered this channel and I am so shocked that I didn't discovered this channel before. Good job! I love your analysis.

[@roddo1955]

The narrator has such a weird timbre to his voice and there is such emphasis on plosive sounds. Also the talking over dialogue forces the listener to single out his voice over the din of ambient background sound. Hypnotic.

[@MsRoxanne45]

Great analysis!!

[@lara2594]

Oh my God, thank you so much for this video, absolutely inspiring and eye-opening! I now totally consider writing my dissertation about the Sheakespearan influences on House of Cards!!!

[@lily-_-]

Wow, this was great! I've definitely subscribed. Thanks for making such high quality videos :)

[@jearmin]

Very insightful exploration, thanks!!

[@camille.8285]

I LOVE YOU SCREENPRISM YOUR VIDEOS ARE BEAUTIFUL ANALYTICAL AND REMARKABLY NUANCED THANK YOU SO MUCH IM CRYING SO GODDAMN AESTHETICALLY DELICIOUS

[@ivanpb1983]

Just subscribed! Love your work.

[@eusouagua]

Amazing series! Amazing analysis!

[@sakuradeva555]

Amazing video as usual!

[@zaubertomate665]

You guys definetly should make another analysis for season 5

[@daniels.os.]

Remarcable analysis. Congratulations!!

[@iluvtacosmi7733]

Stunning work!

[@rahallivex]

Loved the first 2 seasons just epic and brilliant in every way.

[@ivanbarone4380]

Good good good job with this analysis!!

[@leonardojus1]

Good job, guys! That was truly great.

[@impsdelights1757]

Beautiful analysis. I love it.

[@ViviNyc1]

Phenomenal analysis! Thank you.

[@vai82]

Excellent. Loved the voice of the narrator as well.

[@teddypattinson5772]

Beautiful analysis

[@jimmyrussels9685]

Like the impression your doing of Frank

[@kashifashraf8085]

Love it and I never saw the movie and/or drama twice but not remember how many times I watch house of cards

[@LiYanyi]

Great analysis, I held my breath when I'm watching it! OMG!

[@antij1]

i LOVE his channel and this show is AMAZING 😩 might be greedy of me but it would be gr8 if yall did a short vid on the 5th season bc I feel that the Shakespeare influence rlly reached it's peak this season! & how hey structured the confusion this season it was sooooo good. luv this video tho 💖💖💖 want more 😍😍

[@kevinspacey9976]

Thank you so much ❤

[@fredkelly6953]

Nice job, you've earned my sub.

[@jearmin]

Congratulations on the quality of your analysis and the evidence shared. And well-chosen title.

[@orangewarm1]

Claire does show regret for being childless. in one episode she even suggests a child.

[@erinbroderick4272]

I believe every time Claire uses potential pregnancies it was for her own gain, a tool for her use nothing more

[@veronicab15]

She gave up children for his gain, so her honest desire to be a mother coupled with knowing she did give that up for him and not her gain, explains why in the end she finally chooses to get pregnant. She does everything for herself now.

[@LunarEclipseB05]

@@veronicab15I wonder if she will be a true mother and become better

[@comblee9968]

How come I never hear about this amazing channel before!!

[@XPhantom101]

Incredible work

[@alister214]

well done video. full of insights without cheesy one liners

[@kevinspacey9976]

Thank you ❤

[@residurna7797]

wow, you really deserve more audience... outstanding

[@AM-sp6je]

This is brilliant!

[@mizz9863]

Excellent video

[@shadowninja-vv3uw]

this was PERFECT

[@holcombas]

This was amazing!!!

[@himynameisnickolas]

This was great!

[@nickyg2x]

And I hit subscribe to the channel. This is a gold mine.

[@edwarddavidson5391]

Great explanation.GREAT show.I personally have always loved Kevin Spacey,Especially in things like American Beauty,Kpax,Outbreak,Casino Jack,THE CLASSIC The Negotiator of course.I wad hooked on House Of Cards the moment I knew Kevin Spacey was in it let alone not having started yet.Pulled a couple all-nighters Binge watching this show.I'm Canadian as well 😎

[@Touchgrassplz]

great stuff~!

[@RockWeller]

Absolutely loved these series

[@alvaroga1n]

Amzing video wow I love this show its so entertaining and interesting

[@ethanthornton7719]

great content :)

[@shadow_psych7069]

Very awesome analysis! The very end of the video just made me realize that Frank didn't do that at all in season 5... I think that fact definitely deserves some thought as to why. There's no way it's absence is meaningless. :P

[@samriddhswaroop715]

Now that's what I call perfect analysis!

[@Outsider.X]

The welcome back opening of Frank Underwood is just way too powerful❤❤

[@ericcartmansh]

God damn this video is chillingly good

[@jakeu123]

How is this channel not bigger?

[@michaelcain9324]

Wonderful.

[@amandapanda733]

Brilliant. Well done! Please, someone, do a literary analysis on the Macbeth with Pattrick Stewart, and his take on Macbeth. The woman who played Lady Macbeth did a fantastic job. I'd love to see your critque.

[@larsickenroth3258]

Great, great piece. Request: playlist per voice actor/author?

[@lesliesnow3791]

I don't know why but sometimes I wish that Frank and Claire Underwood were my parents.

[@sophieschade9111]

That last frame though

[@luminousblue1539]

good job

[@justinfalls2806]

Now I want to watch this!

[@v8Buster87]

These women put so much work into these videos.

[@mylesschutte6257]

I want to see an analysis on why Frank did what he did at the end of season 5 when he... sabotaged himself. Does he really believe the real power exists outside the Whitehouse? It's such an odd shift for him that's not explained.

[@mahadbawany2641]

I think it was about to be explored in the last season but he was fired for some stuff.

[@mbaustin100]

Random question but what’s the background music? It’s hauntingly beautiful.

[@francescolrn]

I'm just here waiting for this channel to blow up

[@himurahaibara1459]

".......untill we subtly root for his success" Yes that's a real guilty pleasure

[@marcusthompson1031]

best view I've seen all day..

[@albertonajarro]

Amazing

[@FelipeMoscaritolo]

Great video, man! Just take a look at the audio volume, cause sometimes the references are louder than your voice over.

[@shabbygirl8362]

This is fantastic! Thank you!

[@JaceTan-90]

Can't wait for another review just before Season 6

[@DonnieDin]

I miss the first few seasons. It was the best tv. It was best before Frank got into the White House.

[@aleluia1903]

@ScreenPrism this video is ingeniously worked out.... i have no words - in a good way! :)) One thing that i really want to know it's the name of the song/sound effect from 8:37.

[@davisoaresalves5179]

BEST SERIES OF ALL TIME.

[@davisoaresalves5179]

My favourite series.

[@johnnyblackmeattobagon4905]

Oh shit I thought the quote “life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Was just a Marilyn Manson quote

[@Gamicruise]

Great channel. Also I love his voice is almost like crack to my ears

[@raquelgar5390]

no matter what, I get to support Underwood through the show, he made you feel part of his team!!! It was such a masterpiece !!!! and his wife, Clare! what a beast!

[@crimsonsbowtie2184]

Man I'm going to miss this show