Renaissance literature: power and love
G Hiller
8 points * 2.5 hours per week * First semester * Clayton
A study of the literature of the English Renaissance (1558-1674) through an examination of works illustrating a variety of treatments of power and love in political, social and religious contexts. The first half of the subject concentrates on works by Marlowe, Webster, Donne and Milton; the second half considers these and some related works in a series of specific studies of (1) pride and hubris in Renaissance literature, (2) politics and ethics of power, (3) love - sacred and sexual. Some attention will be given in lectures and seminars to the portrayal of women in the prescribed texts and to the socio-political status of women in the period.
Assessment
Essay (2000 words): 30% * Essay (3000 words): 50% * Class paper and participation: 20%
Prescribed texts
Donne Poetry ed. Clements, Norton
Hiller (ed.) Poems of the Elizabeth age rev. edn, Routledge
Marlowe Complete plays Penguin
Milton Paradise Lost Bks 1 - 2, 4, 8-9, ed. Elledge, Norton
Shakespeare Macbeth, Coriolanus Penguin
Webster `The Duchess of Malfi' in Three plays Penguin
Recommended texts
Briggs J This stage-play world OUP
Rivers I Classical and Christian ideas in English Renaissance poetry Allen and Unwin