Course Overview
This course traverses the unfolding of the English dramatic odyssey, from its most rudimentary expressions to the zenith of the Renaissance. We shall scrutinise pivotal periods, playwrights, and texts that have moulded the landscape of English drama, analysing how these works mirror the social, cultural, and political milieu of their eras. The course will encompass the origins of English drama, the medieval period, the rise of morality plays, and the efflorescence of Renaissance theatre.
Session 1: The Origins of English Drama
– Introduction to the course and its objectives.
– Exploration of the origins of drama in England: from ritualistic and folk traditions to liturgical drama.
– Examination of early forms of drama, such as mystery plays, miracle plays, and religious pageants.
– Analysis of the role of the Church in the development of early English drama.
Session 2: Medieval Drama and Morality Plays
– Overview of medieval drama and its development from the 10th to the 15th centuries.
– Analysis of morality plays and their didactic purpose: themes of virtue, vice, and the human condition.
– Close reading and discussion of key examples, such as Everyman and Mankind.
– Exploration of the performance practices and staging conventions of medieval theatre.
Session 3: The Transition to Secular Drama
– Examination of the decline of religious drama and the rise of secular themes in the 16th century.
– Exploration of the influence of classical drama on English playwrights.
– Analysis of the early Tudor interludes and their significance in the transition from medieval to Renaissance drama.
– Discussion of key works by playwrights such as John Heywood and Nicholas Udall.
Session 4: The Early Renaissance and the Development of the English Stage
– Introduction to the Elizabethan era and the flourishing of English drama.
– Examination of the development of permanent theatres and changes in staging practices.
– Analysis of early Elizabethan playwrights, such as Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe.
– Discussion of the impact of historical, political, and social changes on the themes and forms of drama.
Session 5: Shakespeare and the Zenith of English Renaissance Drama
– In-depth exploration of William Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama.
– Analysis of the major themes, genres, and innovations in Shakespeare’s plays.
– Examination of the structure and language of selected plays (e.g., Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello).
– Discussion of Shakespeare’s influence on both contemporary and later dramatic traditions.
Session 6: The Legacy of English Drama to the Renaissance
– Examination of the Jacobean and Caroline playwrights: Ben Jonson, John Webster, and Thomas Middleton.
– Analysis of the evolution of themes, characterisation, and dramatic form in the early 17th century.
– Discussion of the legacy of English drama from its inception to the Renaissance.
– Final reflections on the enduring impact of English drama on literature and culture.