Spring Quarter, 2016
D. Love, Language & Laughter in Shakespeare’s Comedies
Glenn Sucich, Senior Lecturer, English
Thursday afternoons, 12:45-2:45 p.m., Norris University Center
Shakespeare is often regarded as the premier playwright of the Early Modern period, as well as an artist whose works transcend history and culture. He was, in the words of Ben Jonson, "the soul of [his] age" and yet "not of an age, but for all time." Much of the power of Shakespeare's art derives from the specific culture in which he lived and wrote, yet the influence of his art extends far beyond Early Modern London. This course examines the ways in which Shakespeare's life and times shape his plays and poetry, while considering why his works resonate with modern audiences. We explore the innovative ways Shakespeare utilized language to generate laughter and to investigate the many layers of love, as conceived in his age and as understood in our own