Major Authors, Beginning to 1700: Shakespeare: Histories and Comedies

Shakespeare: Histories and Comedies—Dethroning Kings and Questioning Gender Roles

                  In first part of this course, we will read and analyze Shakespeare’s second tetralogy: a series of plays about medieval English history that explore the social and cultural bases of political legitimacy, questions the source(s) of political power, and teaches audiences about the process, aftermath and deeply troubling problems of dethroning a king. As a bonus, these contain some of the smartest, saddest, and most powerful poetry in the English language. Also, there are swordfights. 

                  In the second half of the course, we will savor a selection of Shakespeare’s comedies. We will ask ourselves whether Shakespearean comedy is funny, serious, or disturbing (or all of the above) and explore what is at stake in the traditional comic marriage plot. What would happen if everyone didn’t get married at the end? As a class, we will also analyze the ways in which these plays question traditional roles. Are there some problems that are solved only when gender roles are challenged and transgressed? As a bonus, these plays are funny and contain a lot of dirty jokes. 

                  Texts for the course are likely to include Richard II, Henry IV--Part I, Henry V, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, and Measure for Measure. While the questions in this course description will provide a starting point and backbone for the course, students will have the opportunity to introduce their own interests, guide discussion and design their own topics for written assignments. Written work for the course will include in-class exams and will culminate in a researched critical essay.