ENGL 4380: Shakespeare: Comedies and Histories

Course Description

This course explores Shakespeare's comedies and histories, with particular attention to their genre as well as their relation to the cultural issues of Shakespeare's time, above all, the place of women and the importance of marriage and male friendship. Students will learn how Shakespeare's plays explore the rights of citizens and perhaps challenge accepted notions of political power. Students will also uncover Shakespeare's debt to ancient and contemporary forms of comedy as well as his innovative contributions to that dramatic form. The sonnets, as well as modern film adaptations, may also be brought into the discussion of these questions.