English 117 - Summer Sessions II, 2015

Shakespeare

Class Information

Instructor: Waltonen, Karma
CRN: 73791
Time: MTW 2:10-3:50
Location: 1130 Hart

Description

This course (theme: Witches and Fools—Shakespearean Outcasts) studies four plays from the middle and late periods of Shakespeare’s career: Macbeth, The Tempest, King Lear, and The Merchant of Venice. We will also read Kill Shakespeare, a graphic novel adaptation of the Bard’s works. We will focus on the language and formal conventions of these plays as well as their stagecraft, their historical context, and their modern reception. The editions of the play have been chosen with care—I would prefer you have these Arden versions, as we will be using the contextual material. For consistency of reading, it is vital that you have our version of King Lear and Macbeth.

Grading

Participation 10%; quizzes and homework 10%; two papers, of 5 (20%) and 7-10 pp. (25%) respectively; midterm (15%); final (20%).

Texts

Macbeth, 9781903436486
The Tempest, 9781408133474
King Lear, 9781903436591
The Merchant of Venice, 9781903436818
Kill Shakespeare, Vol 1, 9781600107818