English 145C
Shakespeare's Later Plays

SacCT

Texts

Hamlet, Othello, Measure for Measure, Macbeth, King Lear, The Tempest (Folger editions)

Course Description and Goals

In this course, we will read six of Shakespeare's later plays within their cultural and historical contexts. We will consider how tragic heroes, women, and moral problems are portrayed; and how the portrayals reveal gender, class, and familial relationships as well as illuminate significant themes in the plays-- themes such as power, ambition, justice, mercy, honor, revenge, love, and jealousy.

Apart from short lectures, we will also see some film clips to supplement our readings. And there will be plenty of opportunities for class discussions as well. I expect you to come to class prepared to contribute your responses to the reading questions for each play. I also expect you to come to class with your own questions to help jumpstart each day's discussions.

By the end of the semester, you should be able to:

1. enjoy Shakespeare's plays, both on the stage as well as on the page
2. develop your own interpretations of Shakespeare's plays through literary analysis
3. articulate your understanding of the plays and their relevance to our contemporary lives
4. continue to explore more Shakespeare plays on your own-- with confidence and pleasure.
   

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English Department
California State University, Sacramento