Shakespeare from Beginning to End: A survey of works, both plays and poems, across his whole career.
ENGLISH 121S
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
We will begin with Shakespeare's brilliant early history play, Richard III, and read works from the full course of his career, sampling all of his major genres: comedies, histories, tragedies, and romances. Along the way, we will consider one or more of the "problem plays" that challenge all generic categories. In addition to his writing for the stage, we will read his long erotic poem, "Venus and Adonis" and a selection of his sonnets. We will learn about the Elizabethan theater and publishing industry, the class system, and the effect of government regulation and censorship. And we will acquire a sense of Shakespeare dominant styles, his methods, and his recurrent obsessions. Film and life performance will be components of the course.
Class Notes
This course satisfies the “Pre-1700 Guided Elective" requirement for English concentrators and Secondary Field students.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
