| CODE | ENG2047 | ||||||
| TITLE | Shakespeare and Usurpation | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | English | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit explores notions of usurpation in a selection of Shakespeare’s plays in the light of the Elizabethan concept of historiography and Shakespeare’s dramatic treatment of the rights and obligations of kingship in relation to the Elizabethan notion of ‘Divine retribution’. Particular reference is made to the following texts: Richard II; Henry IV, part I ; Macbeth; Hamlet; King Lear. The study-unit will also deal with Shakespeare’s manipulation of the contemporary historical chronicles for dramatic effect. The second part of the study-unit will focus on Shakespeare’s treatment of other forms of ‘usurpation’ with reference to the interaction of gender roles in Twelfth Night and The Tempest. Study-unit Aims: This study unit aims to introduce students to Shakespeare’s treatment of the theme of usurpation in some of the main history plays, tragedies and later comedies. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to appreciate Shakespeare’s treatment of historical events for his dramatic purposes. The study-unit will also enable students to appreciate the dramatic possibilities of ‘tragic circumstance’ and the subtle ways in which this theme is developed in Shakespeare’s later major Tragedies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Campbell, Lily B . Shakespeare’s Histories (Methuen, 1964). - Palmer, John. Political and Comic Characters of Shakespeare (Macmillan, 1961). - Rossiter, A.P. Angel with Horns (Longman, 1961). - Tillyard. E.M.W. The Elizabethan World Picture ( Penguin, 1972). - Drakakis John. ed. Shakespearean Tragedy (Longman,1992). - Dolimore Jonathan and Alan Sinfield eds. Political Shakespeare (Manchester University Press, 1964). - Hattaway, Michael ed. The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare’s History Plays (Cambridge University Press, 2002). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Peter Vassallo |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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