Course Description We will begin the course with a study of the wonderfully concise form of poetry known as the sonnet--and, in particular, with how Shakespeare shaped this poetic form for his own creative purposes. Through these sonnets, we will come in contact with some of Shakespeare's major themes: the ravages of time on the individual, the search for immortality through poetry, the joys, pains, and sensuality of love, and the value of friendship. Through our discussions of the sonnet, we will study the poet's rich language, as well as his poetic innovations with the form. Following our study of the sonnet, we will read and discuss the fascinating history plays Henry V, a marvelous portrait of a king at war; Richard III, a study of decption and villainy; and Julius Caesar, a ruler assassinated by men who believed that he held a dictator's view of the world. From that point, we will progress to the comedies Measure for Measure, a wonderfully complex play that deals with manipulation; and The Tempest, again a study in power, art, and colonization. We will conclude the course with the mature tragedy King Lear, a portrait of an eighty-year-old king who through his own bad judgment and suffering finally comes to understand himself and his three daughters. As a backdrop to this literature, we will also look at the historical, political, and religious temper of the times, a period replete with intrigue, espionage, religious tension--an historical era that also saw England threatened by civil war, as well as threats of invasions by France and Spain. Central to this historical background is Queen Elizabeth I, the last of the Tudor line of rulers in England, a brilliant, high-strung ruler who reigned through a period in which the English language was well on the way to achieving its richness, in which the English theater acquired its international reputation, and in which the English military and economy rose to be one of the strongest on the globe. We will also discuss the rise of the Stuart line, with James I, under whose patronage Shakespeare's troupe flourished. This course will be rich in material, and with your help, it should be challenging and stimulating, as well as a lot of fun. I'd like you to buy the Folger Shakespeare Library edition of all the texts. They are published by Washington Square Press. They are extremely readable, the notes are helpful without being distracting, the essays are concise but solid, and they are inexpensive. We will be using these texts in class, so if you have another edition, you may have to scramble to find the lines we are discussing. In addition to these texts, I suggest that you buy Stephen Greenblatt's wonderful discussion of Shakespeare and his Times. The texts are listed below. Henry V -- ISBN 13:9780743484879 The Goals
Evaluation You will be evaluated two ways: through essays and oral reports. You will write four essays, as noted below. The essays will be analytical, requiring critical thinking and interpretation; they will be at least one thousand words apiece. The oral reports will be based on topics that I provide. Each report will be at least fifteen minutes. The oral reports will have the value of one essay. Syllabus
The Essays Your first essay will deal with Shakespeare's sonnets. The essay is due on July 10. If you can't turn it in on that date, you may submit it on July 15, but it will be considered a late paper, and the grade will be lowered by one full grade. Your second essay will deal with either Henry V or Richard III. The due date for the essay is July 17. If you can't turn it in on that date, the late date is July 22, with a grade penalty. Your third essay will deal with either Julius Caesar or Measure for Measure. The due date is July 29. The late date, with a grade penalty, is July 31. Your fourth essay will deal with The Tempest or King Lear. The due date is August 7. There is no late date for this essay. Academic Honesty |