English 250

English 250/Introduction to Shakespeare

  

Spring 2022

This class will be held in person/on campus in Spring 2022!

Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:35 to 11:00 A.M.

in room H-308

William Shakespeare is one of the greatest authors in the English language, and this class serves as an introductory course to his life, times, plays, and sonnets. During our semester together, we will study six of Shakespeare’s plays (including at least one play from each of the four genres of comedy, history, tragedy, and romance) and many of his sonnets as we attempt to unravel some of the themes and elements that have made his works so timeless and compelling.

We will also mostly be reading the plays chronologically so we can trace the development of recurring themes, images, and ideas. Since Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be heard and seen onstage – in much the same way that film scripts are meant to be seen as movies and not just read aloud – we will also be watching clips from various film versions of the plays in class.

The two books for our class will be:

  • David Bevington’s The Necessary Shakespeare
  • “English 250 Lecture Notes” (which will only be available for purchase at the Palomar Bookstore)

I have ordered the newest edition of Bevington’s book for Spring 2022, but you can use an older edition of his book or individual copies of each play.  We will be reading Much Ado about Nothing, Henry V, King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Tempest, as well as some of the sonnets.

For a copy of our course syllabus, please visit our class Canvas website.

Film versions of Shakespeare’s plays:

  • As of Spring 2017, our library now subscribes to the Shakespeare’s Globe on Screen database
    • To access it, click on the link, and then look for the database on the right-hand side of the screen

Resources on the Publication of Shakespeare’s Texts:

Resources on Shakespeare’s Language:

 

 

Resources on Individual Plays:


Creative Projects from Spring 2018 Class:

Vanessa’s themed masks:


 

Killian’s collage about Ophelia:


Hannah’s “Out Damn Spot!” Cake:


Nicole P.’s re-creation of the Globe Theatre, with Lady Macbeth sleepwalking:


Nicole H.’s Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Hill cake:


Cassie’s digital art Ophelia:


Christianne’s clay figures from the tragedies (the characters of King Lear, Hamlet, the Weird Sisters, and Ophelia):


Bee’s Yorick’s skulls and Hamlet scrapbook:


Emily’s painting that was inspired by Beatrice and Benedick:


Katie’s portrait of Lady Macbeth:

 


Casey’s sonnet:


Nicole G.’s Facebook page for Beatrice:


Elizabeth’s Instagram for Ophelia:

 


Ali’s original short story “Avalon,” which is inspired by the themes of Shakespeare’s plays:

 


Gabrielle’s portfolio of work for the stage (costume design and lighting design):


Joel’s original sonnet:


Victor’s gel pen original drawing of Shakespeare:


 

Photos and Videos from Charlotte’s Visit to Our Class on 9/16/15:

To play the videos, click on the title of each one.