Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0232 - Intimacy in Shakespeare

What forms did intimacy take on the Shakespearean stage, and how was it shaped by new understandings of global distance, as well as by the material and social conditions of the live theater? This course offers in-depth explorations of a wide range of Shakespeare's plays with special consideration of new forms of intimacy between lovers, spouses, friends, family members, adversaries, and strangers. In particular, we will consider how new scales and experiences of space and time transformed interpersonal relationships. For example, how did global travel, trade, and colonialism affect understandings of difference, sameness, and intimacy? How did Shakespeare's plays imagine new possibilities for intimate forms of violence, empathy, and understanding? We will address these questions through close readings of the plays, supplemented by considerations of social, economic, and scientific history. Likely readings include Antony and Cleopatra, As You Like It, The Merchant of Venice, Two Noble Kinsmen, King Lear, Troilus and Cressida, Hamlet, Othello, and Cymbeline.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend approximately 6 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.