ENGL 201
Shakespeare, Sex, and Power Spring 2015
Division I
Cross-listed WGSS 206
This is not the current course catalog

Writing at a time of enormous social, religious, and political upheaval, Shakespeare is remarkably astute about the power of sex and the allure of power. To what extent or in what ways do his all-male cast, cross-dressed heroines, and sonnets to a young man and a dark lady embody or contest social norms, gender roles, and the power structure? Looking closely at Shakespeare’s language and literary and dramatic forms, this course will examine some of his most erotic and powerful works: Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Much Ado about Nothing, Sonnets, Hamlet, Othello, and Antony and Cleopatra. We will also watch scenes from recent films to explore differences between theater and cinema, early modern and contemporary views of gender and sexuality, popular culture and high art.