4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This, therefore, is the praise of Shakespeare, that his drama is the mirror of life.” Samuel Johnson’s judgment applies particularly well to war and politics. This course will explore how Shakespeare depicts the acquisition of power, its exercise, and its voluntary or forcible relinquishment. Through a close reading of whole plays and selected scenes and speeches it will examine coups, politically motivated assassination, the theater of violence, insurrection, the launching of war, civil-military relations, and ghosts, among other topics. Combines lecture and discussion with close reading of texts, analytic memos, and a research paper. Limited to twenty, no prerequisites. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>