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About the Course

Course Description:

The over 250 Shakespeare movies produced prove that Shakespeare films adaptations and movies retain their enduring appeal.  But why?  What makes Shakespeareˇ¦s prose so timeless?  Is it his words or just his plot lines?

In this course, we will first be looking at Shakespeareˇ¦s plays in the original format and explore how they were creations of their own time.  We will then be looking at one or more film versions of the play and explore how the director adapts the source materials so that they become a product of the directorˇ¦s own time.  Things we will be looking at are contemporary critical standards (Shakespeareˇ¦s and later film directors), political/social commentary, stereotypes, stagecraft vs. film conventions. Questions to explore: To what extent are the ˇ§originalˇ¨ theatrical conditions respected in film adaptations of the works? How are the differences between the media of film, stage, and printed page registered in various film adaptations? How are matters such as historical authenticity, diction, and set design treated, and for what purposes?

Requirements:

  • Reading/viewing journal (handed in 4 times, 10pts each): 
40%
  • Long paper 
30%
  • Synopsis/biblio of final paper for classmates
10%
  • Chat/Thread participation (format will depend on number of students enrolled)
20%

Journals: 

     I will give you a format to follow in order to facilitate critical reading/viewing.  You need to respond to all the works we are covering.

Long paper:

    10-15pp, MLA style, I will hand out a list of plays we are not covering which have been filmed.  You shall choose one, watch the film and do your own analysis of the two.  I will also be including films loosely based on Shakespeare (ie, My Own Private Idaho  and Ten Things I Hate About You).  You can also look at more than one film version and compare/contrast them as well.  For example, you could choose to read The Taming of the Shrew and then watch the Taylor-Burton version and Ten Things I Hate About You.

Chat/Thread:

     I will be giving leading questions about the works and all students must participate either on the internet chats or the BBS on EngSite.

 Texts:

Twelfth Night

Much Ado About Nothing

Romeo and Juliet

Titus Andronicus

            Henry V

Richard III

Films are available through EngSite.

Check EngSite weekly for supplemental readings!

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