Course Description
Study of Shakespeare adaptations, criticism, editions, cultural events, and theatrical performances in the long eighteenth century (1660-1800).
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be responsible for a more extensive
syllabus, for secondary reading, and for more ambitious,
sophisticated writing.
Athena Title
Shakespeare in the18th Century
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Two 2000-level ENGL courses or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 2000-level CMLT course)
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Through study of eighteenth-century dramatic, critical, and philological texts, students will emerge with a thorough understanding of the status of eighteenth-century literary and cultural engagement with the works of William Shakespeare. They will understand, in particular, the significance of Dryden, Tate, Rowe, Johnson, Siddons, and Garrick in the shaping of Shakespeare's literary reputation. Work on the various editions of the period will also provide occasion to witness the decisions made editorially as the period worked to establish the textual canon of England's greatest poet.
Topical Outline
Shakespeare Criticism: John Dryden, Thomas Rymer, John Dennis, Charlotte Lennox, Alexander Pope, Joseph Addison, Samuel Johnson Adaptations of Shakespeare for the stage: Nahum Tate (Lear), John Dryden (Anthony and Cleopatra), Davenant (Much Ado About Nothing and Measure for Measure) Actors and iconic roles: Edward Kynaston (Desdemona), David Garrick (Richard III), Charles Macklin (Shylock), Sarah Siddons (Lady Macbeth) Performance history as revealed by The London Stage The beginning of Shakespeare Tourism: The Stratford Jubilee Editions and editorial practice: Rowe, Pope, Theobald, Hamner, Warburton, Johnson, and Malone