MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

ENH2110

Renaissance literature: power and love

Proposed to be offered next in 1997

G Hiller

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, 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