Shakespeare and Italy (10 credit points)

Content of Course

1. Introduction and background to Shakespeare’s knowledge of Italy and the culture of the High Renaissance.

2. The geography of Two Gentlemen of Verona (c.1593).

3. Safe and unsafe spaces in The Taming of the Shrew (c.1594).

4. On the streets of Verona: Romeo and Juliet (c.1596).

5. The wealth of a trading republic: The Merchant of Venice (c.1597).

6. After the Italian Wars: Much Ado about Nothing (1598).

7. Italy and the threat from the East:  Othello (1602-4).

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students should be able to:

• Evaluate the importance of Italy and Italian culture to Shakespeare's plays;

• Evaluate and assess ideas from a range of secondary and non-literary sources in order to bring them to bear on their analyses of the body in literature;

• Construct, present and evaluate arguments coherently;

• Evaluate texts through close reading, identifying literary and dramatic techniques and devices and an understanding of how language is used for dramatic effect;

• Articulate knowledge of the historical and cultural context in which the plays were written.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• William Shakespeare. The Norton Shakespeare Third Edition.  New York: W. W. Norton (2015)

Recommended:

• Michele Marrapodi (ed.).  Shakespeare, Italy and intertextuality. Manchester: Manchester University Press (2004)

• Michael J. Redmond.  Shakespeare, politics and Italy.  Farnham: Ashgate (2009)

• Ernsto Grillo.  Shakespeare and Italy. Glasgow: University Press (1949) – fun but argues for Shakespeare visiting Italy which is most unlikely

Assessments

10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.