ENGL 332-01, Topics in Shakespeare Studies, Fall 1998

Abstract

How did a dramatist become a historical authority? In exploring this question, the class has three goals. First, we will discuss the complex relationship between history and literature. Second, we will read and discuss eight plays by Shakespeare: five English histories, one Roman history, one tragedy based on history, and one romance that may (or may not) have been linked with historical events. Third, we will engage with works of literary criticism focusing on historical issues; we will concern ourselves primarily with the (so called) Old Historicism and New Historicism, and with feminist and deconstructionist uses of historical material.