Shakespeare Returns: Rediscover the Bard in Spring 2025
“He was not of an age, but for all time!”
Ben Jonson, playwright, poet, and actor, on his contemporary William Shakespeare
So far, Jonson, Shakespeare’s admiring rival, has been right. But if the works of the Bard remain relevant today, how shall we understand them? How shall we view his love sonnets, for example, by our concept of “love” or by his? And what of the roles of history, gender, nationhood, and religion in his plays, or the concepts of the self and the universe?
Anglo-American University’s Shakespeare course (LIT 320/520), taught by the accomplished Andrew Giarelli, Ph.D., is back this semester to explore the above questions and the timeless works of that matchless playwright and poet.
From sonnets that probe the depths of love to a comedy, histories, tragedies, and a romance, the course will offer a comprehensive exploration of Shakespeare’s world and his enduring relevance. Students will study iconic works such as Much Ado About Nothing, Richard II, Othello, and The Tempest, paired with discussions on Elizabethan and Jacobean cultural contexts.
Additionally, students will get the chance to attend the Shakespeare Film Festival, which will bring the Bard’s masterpieces to life through cinematic adaptations.
Course Details
Code: LIT 320/520
Schedule: Mondays, 3:30 pm – 6:15 pm
Start Date: February 10, 2025
Led by Dr. Giarelli, a two-time senior Fulbright scholar with extensive teaching and publishing experience on the subject in question, this course promises to be both intellectually stimulating and inspiring. Don’t miss your chance to engage history’s greatest playwright!