• Ghose Indira

This lecture course focuses on Shakespeare's most famous history plays, Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V. The plays trace the transition from the medieval to the modern world, but also address questions like leadership, concepts of identity, masculinity, friendship, and betrayal. We will be looking at each play in depth, taking into consideration aspects such as the relationship of plot and subplot, the treatment of character, language, the use of soliloquy, and central themes.

To gain credit regular attendance is mandatory. More than two unexcused absences disqualify students from gaining credit.

In addition to gaining credit points for attendance, MA students will be able to take an exam and gain marks for the course. The course is part of MA Module 3 (Eng. Lit. I: 1500-1780).

On successful completion of the course, students will have gained familiarity with the major Shakespearean history plays. They will have acquired an overview of the key elements involved in literary analysis of Renaissance drama. They will have gained an insight into the way Shakespeare's work engages with his own age and at the same time, resonates with contemporary concerns.

A recommended edition which contains all four plays is The Norton Shakespeare: Histories, ed. Stephen Greenblatt et al., 3rd edition (New York: Norton, 2016).

Alternatively, editions of the individual plays in the following series are recommended:

The Oxford Shakespeare: Oxford World´s Classics

The New Cambridge Shakespeare

The Arden Shakespeare

The Royal Shakespeare Company Shakespeare

The Penguin Shakespeare