Fortunately for all of us, the dumb title of this class is the only piece of writing I’m bringing to the course. Instead, once we’re in class together, we’ll leave the heavy lifting of writing and storytelling and merrymaking to Billy. The class will dive deep into reading and discussions of six Shakespeare comedies, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, and A Comedy of Errors, focusing on the structure, plot, character, and language, as well as influences and original source material for these plays. Why do Shakespeare’s comedies endure? What can we learn about storytelling, human nature, and contemporary life through discussions of works of art over four hundred years old? We will also screen and discuss contemporary and 20th Century films based on individual plays. Students should expect to write critical essays, take in-class reading quizzes, complete a longer final project, and participate actively and vocally in class conversations.
Learning Outcomes:
*An understanding of the motifs, themes, and tropes set up and used most frequently by Shakespeare in his
comedies.
*An understanding of the ways in which Shakespeare manipulated language, used poetic devices, and helped
capture new phrases, terms, and words in his plays.
*An understanding of how Shakespeare helped solidify if not develop a now oft-used structure for the genre
of comedy writing in plays and screenplays, how his work influenced all that followed.
*A consideration of how Shakespeare’s observations of people, relationships, desires, manipulations might
still hold relevance today, with a particular focus on Shakespeare’s comedic heroines.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 10:00AM - 11:50AM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years
Categories: 2000 , All courses , Day/Time Changes , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Literature , Updates
Tags: adventures , comedies , critical analysis , drama , iambic pentameter , literature , mistaken identities , Shakespeare , twin flames