Philosophy Course: Introduction to Shakespeare
Course summary
Shakespeare's plays continue to speak directly to us through the depth of their insight into human nature and the human condition. In this course, we will explore the themes of love, power, revenge, ambition, evil, nobility, truth, and tragedy through an analysis of his major characters and works.
We will examine Shakespeare in the context of his time. His plays reflect the intellectual and political ferment of post-Reformation England. Familiar with the scepticism of Michel de Montaigne and Machiavelli’s political pragmatism, his plays signal the changing ideas on human nature and the rise of scientific enquiry. The complex psychology of his characters and the social and political worlds they inhabit reflect these influences.
Ranging across the comedies, tragedies and history plays, the course will explore works from the high drama of Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear to the wise playfulness of Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Aims
The aims of the course are first to interrogate Shakespeare’s works by studying the texts; listening to his use of speech, and uncovering his exceptional use of metaphor and imagery.
The course will provide an enjoyable, interactive and stimulating learning environment in which to explore new ideas with the teacher and other students. We will engage with some of the most beautiful literature ever written.
The philosophical insights found in Shakespeare's works can also be applied to other areas of cultural production, including the visual arts, theatre and film.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- identify the main philosophical ideas in Shakespeare’s plays
- identify philosophers, including Machiavelli, who informed Shakespeare’s work
- discuss the main themes presented in Shakespeare’s work, such as his broad approach to the role of the monarch
- discuss the various points of view presented in Shakespeare’s plays
- relate the ideas explored in the course to contemporary issues.
Content
Introduction to Shakespeare’s philosophy
We will begin with an overview of the philosophical ideas explored in a selection of Shakespeare's plays and examine the influence of Renaissance humanism on his thought, paying particular attention to the philosophy of Michel de Montaigne.
Humanism and the nobility of the human spirit
None of Shakespeare's characters are "romantically" noble in the simplistic sense of the traditional hero. Yet many of his most flawed characters, such as Falstaff, have moments of genuine nobility. We might say, for example, that Lear is the story of a man who must become humanistically noble by divesting himself of the false nobility of kingship.
Shakespeare on power and revenge
There is no shortage of Machiavellian characters in Shakespeare's plays. Macbeth and King Richard are among his most complex creations. But what do we make of their actions? Are we seduced by them, repelled by them, or perhaps both at the same time? What is Shakespeare's philosophy of power in these plays?
Shakespeare on truth
A recurring theme throughout Shakespeare's works is the problem of truth: how do we know what we know? Of particular interest here is the scepticism Shakespeare expresses in lines such as, "What's aught, but as 'tis valued?" We will explore this question across both the comedies and the tragedies.
Shakespeare on love and lust
Love and lust are two of humanity's enduring preoccupations, and Shakespeare's plays make a feast of them. But can we identify a consistent set of ideas and values across his many treatments of these subjects? We will ask: what do Shakespeare's plays tell us about the role of love and sexuality in our lives, and how different are the ideas of his age from our own?
Shakespeare and consciousness
The idea that humans are defined by individual consciousness is central both to the humanist philosophy of Shakespeare’s time and to his play Hamlet. We will consider these psychological dimensions, and Shakespeare's exploration of the inner self, in some detail.
Prerequisites
None
Who this course is for
Anyone with a general interest in philosophy.
Delivery style
Lecture/seminar
Delivery mode
Online via the platform Zoom
Materials
Course notes are shared electronically.
Recommended reading
List of plays in order studied in the course:
- Richard III
- King Lear
- Julius Caesar
- Othello
- Romeo and Juliet
- Twelfth Night
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Hamlet
- Macbeth
- The Tempest
Upcoming classes
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Meet the facilitators
Kerry Sanders
What others say
This presenter has a special way of involving all students in the class, those who are knowledgeable and those with little education. Students leave at the end of each term with a richer appreciation of all that education and life has to offer.
Ann Folland
