ENGL 4166 CRN 13279:

SHAKESPEARE II

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

MW 2:30   Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown G63


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 A. C. Bradley's lectures on Othello (1904) — text 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 as per honor code; late assignments will be accepted only by prior permission of the instructor. Students needing accomodations should see me at the beginning of term.

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 22) Introduction

Week 2 (January 27-29) Twelfth Night

Week 3 (February 3-5 Twelfth Night

Week 4 (February 10-12) Macbeth

Week 5 (February 17-19) Macbeth

Week 6 (February 24-26) Othello Cinthio's Othello

Week 7 (March 3-5) Othello Bradley on Othello

(Spring break March 8-16)

Week 8 (March 17-19) Hamlet

Week 9 (March 24-26) Hamlet

Week 10 (March 31-April 2) Lear

Week 11 (April 7-9) Lear

Week 12 (April 14-16) Winter's Tale

8-10 pp. Essay due 14 April

Week 13 (April 21-23) Winter's Tale

Week 14 (April 28-30) The Tempest

Week 15 (May 5-7) The Tempest

Final Examination: May 14 10:05AM