Shakespeare: The Comedies

Course Description

Summary

The class will dive deep into reading and discussions of five Shakespeare comedies, The Tempest, Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night's Dream, and As You Like It, focusing on the structure, plot, character, and language, as well as influences and original source material for these plays. We will also read and discuss Eastward Ho!, a comedy co-written by Shakespearean contemporaries, Ben Johnson, George Chapman, and John Marston, and SHE STOOPS TO COMEDY, David Greenspan's contemporary comedy, which takes place within a performance of As You Like It. We will also screen and discuss contemporary and 20th Century films based on individual plays. Students should expect to write critical essays, take in-class reading quizzes, complete a longer final project, and participate actively and vocally in class conversations.