English 117B

Book List

Shakespeare, William: The Norton Shakespeare

Description

A survey of the second half of Shakespeare’s working life, including the later “problem” comedies, the major tragedies and the magical romances, his final works. Lectures will touch upon the complete writings and present sample scenes (with a selection of sonnets), so that you will know at least something about every work. Discussions will focus on a smaller group of six plays, to be explored in depth: Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, Macbeth, King Lear, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest. If schedules permit I will also plan class visits to live performances and/or cinema presentations of relevant Shakespeare plays.

Quizzes with passages from the sample texts (ID and brief critical commentary); two papers on the in-depth plays; final exam.