ENGL 4166:

SHAKESPEARE II

Mr. Radcliffe drad@vt.edu
Office Hours: MW 2:00 412 Shanks Hall



Syllabus

Our course will triangulate between three areas of concern: Shakespeare as a figure in history, Shakespeare as moral teacher, and Shakespeare as a literary craftsman. Since all of these areas are intimately connected and thoroughly problematic, there should be plenty for us to talk about. We will also read some classic works in Shakespeare criticism, commentaries by Samuel Johnson and William Hazlitt, and A. C. Bradley's lectures on Othello (1904) — texts available online.

What I require of students is regular attendance (it counts), participation in discussions (it helps), occasional email commentaries, a short formal essay, and final examination to manifest your diligence in the former items. Evaluation will be as follows: attendance + participation + commentary: 33%; paper: 33%; exam: 33%. Missing more than 20% of classes will hurt your grade; thoughtful questions and remarks in class and in the commentary will enhance your grade. All work is expected to be your own; late assignments will be accepted only by prior permission of the instructor.

Books: I've ordered the Norton Shakespeare for our primary text; if you already have a college textbook edition you my use that. That set passed down from your grandparents may be a handsome thing, but it is not what is needed for present purposes: Shakespeare can be passing strange, and we need the benefit of a full set of glosses and an unexpurgated text ("family Shakespeares" edit out the naughty jokes or let them go unglossed).

Schedule

Week 1 (January 19-21) Introduction, Twelfth Night

Week 2 (January 26-28) Twelfth Night

Week 3 (February 2-4 Twelfth Night

Week 4 (February 9-11) Coriolanus

Week 5 (February 16-18) Coriolanus

Week 6 (February 23-25) Othello

Week 7 (March 2) Othello

Week 7 (March 4) Bradley on Othello

(Spring break March 6-14)

Week 8 (March 16-18) Hamlet

Week 9 (March 23-25) Hamlet

Week 10 (March 30-April 1) Lear

Week 11 (April 6-8) Lear

Week 12 (April 13-15) Winter's Tale

8-10 pp. Essay due 15 April

Week 13 (April 20-22) Winter's Tale

Week 14 (April 27-29) The Tempest

Week 15 (May 2-6) The Tempest

Final Examination: May 08 7:45