William Shakespeare

In this course we will read seven plays. Two comedies, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
and TWELFTH NIGHT, contain great comic characters like Sir Toby Belch, Andrew
Aguecheek, and Nick Bottom; dark and tragic figures like Malvolio; serious themes,
much laughter, and a mixture of poetry and buffoonery guaranteed to enchant all
audiences. The third and fourth comedies, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and THE
MERCHANT OF VENICE are darker comedies with gender and religious conflict
themes. The three tragedies—HAMLET, OTHELLO, and KING LEAR—represent
Shakespeare’s magnificent presentation of the human condition in all of its variety.

The course will consist of four essays of three to five pages, an essay final
exam, seven video responses, and numerous in-class reaction papers. Attendance will
count.