LFU:online

By the end of this course students will know about, and will be able to use, the modern methods of drama analysis and Shakespearean criticism. They will also be informed about the Shakespearean era and theatre as well as the role of Shakespeare and the special importance of Hamlet (the play and especially its hero) and their diverse interpretations over the past 400 years.

The main focus of this course will be on trying to understand the special importance of Hamlet, as a text and as a stage play from Shakespearean times to the present day.Thus, we will place it into its historical context and also look into its reception, with the inclusion of film versions and its role in modern plays like Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. 

Short presentations and discussion of important aspects of our main themes and texts 

Presentation (20 - 30 mins) in the first block, presentation of the work done for the seminar paper in the second block, participation in discussions, written seminar paper to be handed in by the end of the semester.

Hamlet: Englisch-Deutsch, ed. Holger Klein, Reclam 2014, ca. 14 Euro (amazon). We need this special edition (please also don't take one of the older Reclam editions as they are outdated). The German translation in this text is as important as the annotations for understanding Hamlet.

Other texts incl. dvds of film versions will be provided.  

MA Programme: none

Diploma and Teacher Training Programme: positive completion of first part of studies (1. Studienabschnitt)

Diploma Programme (343): SE 2: English Literature and Culture

Teacher Training Programme (344): SE 2: English Literature and Culture