Likely texts will include the 'problem plays', Measure for Measure and Troilus and Cressida, 'Roman' plays - Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and Coriolanus, and key tradgedies including King Lear and Othello.

Participants will be expected to read widely in Shakespeare's other works and there will be an early opportunity for them to influence the choice of texts.  Discussion will be determined by how the group's interests develop, but attention will be given to the historical and political contexts of the plays as well as to questions of language and of identity or "self".  Differing theoretical approaches to Shakespeare will be considered.

On satisfying the requirements for this advanced course, students will have a significantly deeper understanding of the plays and poems of William Shakespeare in their historical, cultural and intellectual contexts. Their skills in literary analysis and evaluation, as well as oral and written presentation of arguements will be significantly deepened.

Course co-ordinator is an internationally published scholar in this field.

The Norton Shakespeare