Love and desire in Shakespeare

Explore how Shakespeare's presents the delights and difficulties of love and desire in a range of plays, including Othello and Romeo and Juliet, and in so doing consider the practical contemporary significance of his insights.

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Key course information

Date
18/02/12

Day(s)
Sat

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £37
Senior fee: £23

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HLT33

Availability
This course has finished

No concessionary fees are available as the limit has been reached.

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

We shall consider how Shakespeare’s presentation of love and desire illuminates the rewards and problems people experience in this most intimate and powerful aspect of our lives. Throughout, the focus will be on Shakespeare’s dramatic art and poetic mastery, and how these stimulate profound and moving insights into our own quandaries and aspirations.

What topics will we cover?

We shall consider extracts from Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello and Antony and Cleopatra in order to illuminate the ways in which Shakespeare dramatises different kinds and consequences of love and desire, comparing contexts and attitudes as we do so. We shall also pay considerable attention to the features of Shakespeare’s poetry, and how these help to shape meaning.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Demonstrate insight into various ways in which Shakespeare depicts the challenges of love and desire.
Show you appreciate the depth and significance of Shakespeare’s thought.
Identify important characteristics of Shakespeare’s dramatic poetry, and how they create meaning.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The level of the course is introductory. No previous knowledge or experience of Literature is necessary but you will need to feel enthusiastic about the prospect of reading and discussing Shakespeare’s work. Learners will, ideally, need the following skills and attributes:
An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.
An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Teacher explanation and group discussion.

Tutor Biography
Peter Brennan is a poet, and was for many years Head of English at The Latymer School, Edmonton. He founded Visionary Company courses in 2005, and is Editor-in-Chief of Perdika Press.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No. You will be provided with photocopies of the extracts to be studied. Please bring a pen and paper.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.