Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject covers Shakespeare's plays in their various categories, as well as plays by the most outstanding of his contemporaries. Each work is studied in its theatrical, political and philosophical contexts, and in many seminars individual scenes in historically important productions will be watched on video (a typical example: for Macbeth, the lead-up to the murder of Duncan as directed by Polanski, by Kurosawa, and by the RSC). Shakespeare's varying reception across the centuries will be considered, and some attention will also be given to transformations of Shakespeare into other media (eg, into grand opera: Verdi, Otello, on film).
Assessment (8 points) Assignment/s (2500 words): 40% + Essay (3500 words): 60%
Assessment (12 points) Two seminar papers (1300 words): 15% each + Essay (2500 words): 30% + Essay (3500 words): 40%