ENGL 339 B1: Shakespeare

C. Gordon-Craig

This section of ENGL 339 will examine seven plays by Shakespeare: a comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream; two tragedies, Macbeth and King Lear; a history, Richard the Third; a Roman play, Antony and Cleopatra; a problem play, Measure for Measure; and a late romance, The Tempest. The course will provide background on the author and his period, and through critical readings of those seven plays, an examination of the dramatic techniques and universal themes they display, a consideration of their appeal to Shakespeare's contemporary audiences, as well as the plays' continuing relevance to us through their links with modern issues and concerns. Students will write essays totalling about 2,000 words.