ENH2110

Renaissance literature: power and love

G Hiller

8 points - 2.5 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have developed an understanding of certain key aspects of Renaissance culture and thought in representative literary works, and of the different critical approaches which may be used in reading them.

Synopsis 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, Donne and Milton; the second half considers these and some related works in a series of specific studies of (1) literature of the politics and ethics of power, and (2) literature of love - sexual and sacred. 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 (1000 words) and participation: 20% - An optional examination may replace the long essay.

Prescribed texts

Donne J Poetry ed. Clements, Norton
Jonson B 'Volpone' in Three comedies Penguin
Marlowe C Complete plays Penguin
Milton J Paradise Lost Bks 1-2, 4, 8-9, ed. Elledge, Norton
Shakespeare W Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Richard III Penguin
Extracts from the poetry of Marlowe and Shakespeare available in the subject handbook.

Recommended texts

Briggs J This stage-play world OUP
Rivers I Classical and Christian ideas in English renaissance poetry Allen and Unwin

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