ENG 344C - Revenge Narratives

Prerequisite, ENG 256. Shakespeare gets all the publicity, but he was not the only one producing works for the early modern English playhouses. This course explores the rich and vibrant works written by Shakespeare’s contemporaries, whether they be friends, rivals, or frenemies. Students will study works from a range of different authors (e.g., Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Thomas Dekker, Ben Jonson, John Webster) and in a range of different genres (e.g., tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, city comedy, comedy of humors), with the objective of gaining a deeper understanding of the Renaissance stage: that cultural magnet that attracted thousands upon thousands of patrons each and every week. Letter grade with Pass/No Pass option. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits