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, 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 second year Essay (2000 words): 30%
* Essay (3000 words):
50%
* Class paper (1000 words) and participation: 20%
Assessment third year Essay (2000 words): 30%
* Essay (3000 words):
50%
* Class paper (1000 words) and participation: 20%
* Third-year
students will be expected to show a greater analytical grasp of the subject.
Prescribed texts
Donne Poetry ed. Clements, Norton
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
Extracts from the poetry of Shakespeare and Marlowe 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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