ENGL221

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ENGL221

English Renaissance Drama ENGL221 FA

Next Offered in 9899 FA

Largely because of the institutionalization of what Shaw mockingly dubbed "Bardolotry," most modern readers' encounter with English Renaissance Drama starts and ends with the plays of Shakespeare. As a consequence, very few students become acquainted with other works from the Tudor and Stuart stage. This course attempts to remedy this deficiency by offering a representative sample of some of the funniest, wierdest and most provocative plays of Shakespeare's contemporaries and rivals. The course will focus in particular on the plays' preoccupation with issues of gender and sexuality, and the broader cultural anxieties this preoccupation bespeaks. In addition to the primary reading, we will also read a number of critical essays in order to examine the assumptions that shape modern interpretations of the plays. These essays are designed to introduce students to some of the more dynamic critical methodologies in recent literary theory, including feminism, Marxism, cultural studies, deconstruction and queer theory.

MAJOR READINGS

John Lyly, GALLATHEA
Anon, ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM
Christopher Marlowe, THE JEW OF MALTA and EDWARD II
Thomas Dekker, THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY
Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton, THE ROARING GIRL
Anon, THE REVENGER'S TRAGEDY
John Webster, THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, THE CHANGELING

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Short papers and final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course meets the English Department's pre-1800 and historical knowledge requirements. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ENGL

Prerequisites: ENGL201

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

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