ENGL 311(S) Studies in Shakespeare: Comedy (Same as Theatre 317)

Comedies by Shakespeare have-or at least used to have-a major influence on what we mean by the term. And yet even so, some of them are disturbing enough that it is tempting not to call them comedies at all. In this course we shall ask what the term "comedy" might have meant to Shakespeare, and why his understanding of this form might differ from our own. We shall read six plays from different stages of his career-Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, and The Winter's Tale-as well as critical essays on these plays and on the nature of comedy in general. Requirements: a few short writing assignments, and 20-page final paper. Major Seminar. Open only to English majors and qualified non-majors. Permission of English Department chair required; see information above. Enrollment limited to 15, with preference given to students who have taken English 201 or another course on Shakespeare. (Pre-1800)

Hour: KLEINER