English 117S

Other Readings and Media

Shakespeare, W.:  Richard II, Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, All's Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure, Macbeth, The Winter's Tale, The Tempest

Description

This will be an introduction to close reading of Shakespeare that will address all of his genres and periods, at least after 1596.  I know very little about race, class, or gender and care even less.  I am interested primarily in unabashedly celebrating Shakespeare’s various forms of genius by tracing how complex, engaging, and intelligent the plays are about human passions.  We will read roughly a play a week, with some taking two weeks.  There will two papers, a mid-term, and a final, and attendance will be required.

NOTE: This class will meet for the first time on Monday, August 30; discussion sections will not be held on Friday the 27th.