Introduction to Shakespeare

Catalog description

Studies representative plays from Shakespeare’s early, middle, and/ or late periods and sonnets relevant to play elements. Defines principal elements of Shakespearean drama. Analyzes relationships among selected elements of dramatic forms of comedy, tragedy, history and romance to determine how genre shapes the development of individual plays. Identifies key biographical, historical, social and intellectual issues in the Renaissance, Reformation, and Tudor-Elizabethan England in relation to the plays. Practices in-depth formal literary criticism of Shakespeare’s text and modern performances. Prerequisite: placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Prerequisite/ concurrent: WR 121 or WR 121Z. Audit available.