The aim of the course is to introduce students to the range of Shakespeare’s drama through the analysis of representative plays taking into consideration the historical, social and theatrical context of the Renaissance society. Through a close reading of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, Othello and The Tempest we will discuss key themes, issues, and interpretations of the plays, focusing on questions of genre, gender, race, class, politics, family relations, and cultural power. We will approach the plays from numerous (and sometimes contradictory) perspectives: literary, theatrical, historical, theoretical, and aesthetic. Designed as part lecture-presentation and part discussion, this is a course that is meant to be interactive, taking up topics generated by students as well as by the instructor, in order to reflect on the relevance these plays have for us today
Semester:
Spring
Offered:
2019