Shakespeare's Tragedies - Einzelansicht

The epitome of canonization, Shakespeare’s tragedies are constantly staged and re-staged, appropriated and re-articulated, thus ensuring their continuous and vital presence in Anglophone literature. In this class, we will read Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. Discussion topics include the supernatural, dramatic action and inaction, subjectivity, love and jealousy, race, madness, social hierarchies, ecology, and the villain. We will also inquire into the notion of the tragic and its persistent resonance in today’s cultures.

Please purchase:

Hamlet
Othello
King Lear

Any of the countless editions available for each of the texts will do. However, I highly recommend the Arden editions of each tragedy, which, by providing a plethora of insightful annotations, can significantly mitigate the difficulty of reading these early modern texts. The Arden editions should prove useful especially to those who haven’t been exposed to much early modern English literature yet. Also, the Arden edition of Hamlet in particular helpfully clarifies the several extant versions of that play.

Over the course of the seminar, students will write a learning journal consisting of reading responses and reflections on class discussions (3 credits). To gain 6 credits, students will additionally submit a term paper.

Regular attendance and active participation are vital to creating a fruitful learning atmosphere. So, please sign up for this class only if you intend to actually come to our sessions.