An intensive study of
Shakespeare’s language of erotic love, desire, and sexual violence
in his sonnets, narrative poems, and plays.
Focusing on the ways in which gender and sexuality were
conceptualized in the late 16th century, we will engage
in thematic readings of texts that are grounded in an understanding
of their original historical context as well as in an appreciation
of their continuing relevance.
We will pursue many questions, including: How are masculinity and femininity defined? What does it mean to desire? What is the impact of patriarchal marriage
on the choice of a mate? In
a period prior to the division of homosexuality from heterosexuality,
how is eroticism conceptualized?
What kinds of sexual violence are represented?
How are gender and sexuality related to such variables
as social rank, race, and national identity?
How are gender and sexuality tied to literary genre and
dramatic/narrative structure? In addition to reading across the Shakespeare
corpus, assignments will include reading critical essays and watching
films.