HNRS 168-01: Shakespeare: Textual, Cultural and Theatrical Inquiry

Seminar participants will study eleven of Shakespeare’s most discussed plays, chosen to represent the comedies, the histories, and the tragedies: Richard II, Henry IV (Part I), The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Much Ado about Nothing, Measure for Measure, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth.

We shall begin by familiarizing ourselves with the Early Modern language of the text and scrutinizing the social, political, and cultural context in which the plays were written and performed. As Shakespeare’s works are viewed as core canonical texts of Western civilization, we shall examine how and why they came to be perceived as such, raising key questions of canonicity. At the same time, we shall employ a variety of critical approaches to explore the texts from multiple perspectives. Since drama is an embodied art (unlike poetry or prose), we shall view filmed performances and attend local productions of the plays (if available) in order to comprehend the integrity of the genre.

Students will engage in a significant research project, constructing a substantial annotated bibliography and writing an original research paper. They will attend weekly films of the plays, screened outside class hours. They will also read a text exploring the history and culture of the period. Weekly quizzes as well as midterm and final examinations will be required.

Term: Spring 2009

Credits: 4

Fulfills: GE Requirement in Humanities (U)

Pre-requisites: FYS 101 or waiver or freshman composition course at another college 

Meeting times: 10:00-11:20 TR

Instructor: Lisa McDonnell

Open to: First-years/Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors

Students electing this course will be eligible (but not required) to enroll in a three week, two credit May Term Travel Seminar on Shakespearean and contemporary drama to be conducted in London and Stratford-upon-Avon, England, if offered this year.