English 117S

Book List

Greenblatt , Stephen, ed. : The Norton Shakespeare

Description

This class focuses on a selection of works from Shakespeare’s entire career. We'll be reading a limited number of plays and some of the poetry. One of the main issues I'd like to focus on is the oscillation between "regular" and "irregular." What is the rule, and what is the exception in Shakespeare's works? How is a comedy supposed to end? How does it end? What makes a tragic hero? Is Hamlet a tragic hero? What are the rules of theater? What are the rules of literature? When do they get transgressed, and why? A tentative list of the plays includes Titus Andronicus, Richard III, A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, King Lear, and The Tempest. We'll also read some of the sonnets. There will be two essays and a final exam. 

The main text will be The Norton Shakespeare (ed. S. Greenblatt). Additional materials will be distributed through the course website.