Shakespeare: Themes and Presentations

This class provides a detailed examination of a range of the dramatic works of William Shakespeare and of other poetry and drama of the English Renaissance. It will consider the context of Shakespearean drama from the sixteenth century to its interpretation and dissemination in the present day, from theatrical practice, the playhouses, acting companies and royal patronage of the Renaissance through to twentieth-first century film and television adaptations. It will include close study of content and language and it will also develop a broad understanding of themes, forms and issues (political, historical, theoretical and religious) characteristic of English culture during the Renaissance. There will also be a study visit to the Globe theatre and other relevant sites.

This class aims to:

*Introduce students to the variety of styles and themes in the work of Shakespeare.
*Introduce students to the broad intellectual and dramatic contexts within which
*Shakespeare's work was produced.
*Locate Shakespeare's work in relation to that of his contemporarie sonsider in detail the form and language of some Renaissance texts
*Analyze Renaissance theatrical practice analyze the position and authority Shakespeare holds within the canon of English
*Literature and to consider the means by which his work has come to occupy this central
*Space in English culture and literary criticism