Section outline

  • General

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  • Introduction

    Course Description:

    The students of English Department should be able to appreciate the plays written by William Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist of the world. The knowledge of Shakespearean comedy and tragedy will enable students to understand intricate human thoughts and relationships.

    Course Objectives: 

    • To familiarize students with some important plays of William Shakespeare.
    • To provide them with a deep understanding of Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies.
    • To facilitate the development of independent critical thinking.

    Learning Outcomes:

    At the end of the course, students will be able to:

    • Identify and explain the characteristics of Shakespearean comedy and tragedy.
    • Demonstrate role play of a character or characters.
    • Produce a critical appreciation of the characters by analyzing their roles in the play
    • Evaluate Shakespeare’s plays critically and creatively in the context of contemporary world.
    • To facilitate the development of independent critical thinking.

    Course Contents:

    The Merchant of Venice
    As You Like It
    Hamlet
    Macbeth
    • resource icon
      Course Outline File

    • Recommended Reading:      

      1. Barber, Cesar Lombardi. Shakespeare’s Festive Comedy. Princeton University Press, 1972.
      2. Boris, Ford, ed. The Age of Shakespeare. Penguin Books Ltd, 1955.
      3. Bradley, Andrew C. Shakespearean Tragedy. Publisher Prospekt, 2014.
      4. Charlton, H.B. Shakespearean Comedy. Crane & Russak, 1972.
      5. Gill, Richard. Mastering Shakespeare. Macmillan Education UK, 1998.
      6. Knight, G. Wilson. The Wheel of Fire. Meridian Books, 1956.
      7. Wilson, J. Dover. The Essentials of Shakespeare. Cambridge University Press, 1932.

    • resource icon
      Assessment System File
    • url icon
      Welcome Video URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • url icon
      Faculty Contact Information URL

      • Class Schedule: 
                 Sunday 11:00 am - 12: 15 pm (R#1203)
                 Wednesday 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm (R#1203) 

      • Counseling Hour: Sunday 9:00 am - 11:00 am & Wednesday  10:00 am - 1:00 pm

    • resource icon
      Academic Calendar of 2024 File

  • Week 1 Lesson 2: Introduction to Shakespeare & Merchant of Venice

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To get an overview of the Elizabethan theater
    • To gather information about the greatest bard 
    • To connect the author and his creations with his time.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    Content:

    Elizabethan theater 

    Shakespeare

  • Week 2 Lesson 1: Introduction to Merchant of Venice Act I

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To grasp an overall understanding of the play The Merchant of Venice
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on anti-semitism
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    The Merchant of Venice

    • resource icon
      Summary of the Play File
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • page icon
      Themes of the Play Page
      Students must
      Mark as done

      This short CourseHero YouTube video will introduce you to the major themes of the play.

    • url icon
      BBC Bitesize URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Week 2 Lesson 2: Introduction to Merchant of Venice Act II

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the 2nd act of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    The Merchant of Venice Act II

  • Week 3 Lessons 1 & 2: The Merchant of Venice Act II & III

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the 2nd & 3rd acts of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    The Merchant of Venice Acts II & III


    • page icon
      10 Important Quotes Page
      Students must
      Mark as done

      10 important quotes highlighted by Dr. Aidan

    • url icon
      Act III URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Week 4 Lessons 1 & 2: The Merchant of Venice Act IV & V, Quiz 1

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the 4th & 5th acts of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    The Merchant of Venice Acts IV & V


    • url icon
      Act IV URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • url icon
      Symbols in the Play URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • url icon
      Act V URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Week 5 Lesson 1: Macbeth Introduction & Act I

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To get the background information about the play 
    • To grasp the plot and character map  

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • get an overview of the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion 
    Content:

    Macbeth


  • Week 5 Lesson 2: Macbeth Act I

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To study the first act of the play through close reading 
    • To analyze the first act and discuss 

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • review the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion
    • develop analytical writing     
    Content:

    Macbeth

    • url icon
      Macbeth's Character Analysis URL
    • url icon
      Lady Macbeth's Character Analysis URL
    • url icon
      Macbeth Act I (Part 2) Video Lecture URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Act I Discussion Questions:

      1. Is there any indication in Act I Scene 3 that Macbeth has any desire to be the king by any means? How do you know?
      2. In Act 1, Scene 4, describe the contrast between Macbeth's first and last speeches.
      3. Based on Act 1, Scene 5 of Macbeth, describe what Lady Macbeth and the witches have in common.
      4. Why does Macbeth agree to kill Duncan even though he is aware of the 3 reasons for not going against the King? 

    • quiz icon
      Quiz on Act I
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Attempt this class quiz on the first Act of Macbeth for your class attendance.

  • Week 6 Lesson 1: Macbeth Act II

    Highlighted

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To study the second act of the play through close reading 
    • To analyze the second act and discuss 

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • review the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion
    • develop analytical writing     
    Content:

    Macbeth


    • page icon
      Corruption in Macbeth Page
    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Act II Discussion Questions:

      1. What does Macbeth's speech about the dagger reveal about him? 
      2. Where does blood show up in this scene? How do Macbeth and his wife respond differently to it?

    • url icon
      Macbeth Act II Video Lecture URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Assignment

    • assign icon
      Digital Poster Assignment
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Choose an incident from Macbeth and compare it with a present-day event. Present your ideas with two (2) distinct pictures and a short write-up using no more than 200 words.

      1. You can only upload a file for the submission. Make sure that it's not larger than 10MB (that's the limit). Compress your file if necessary. 

      2. Using AI is permissible but do fulfill what the assignment is asking you to do.

      3. Consult with the attached rubrics to understand what is expected of you.

      Good luck with the task!

  • Week 6 Lesson 2: Macbeth Act III

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To study the third act of the play through close reading 
    • To analyze the third act and discuss 

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • review the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion
    • develop analytical writing     
    Content:

    Macbeth




    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Act III Discussion Questions:

      1. How does Lady Macbeth's role in Act III, Scene 2 differ from her role in the previous scenes?
      2. Find examples of the theme of darkness & the theme of order vs disorder.

  • Week 7 Lesson 1: Macbeth Act IV

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To study the 4th act of the play through close reading 
    • To analyze the 4th act and discuss 

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • review the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion
    • develop analytical writing     
    Content:

    Macbeth


    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Act IV Discussion Questions:

      1. How does Macbeth feel about himself after his meeting with the three witches?
      2. How do the witches appear as equivocators?

    • url icon
      Macbeth Act IV Video Lecture URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Week 7 Lesson 2: Macbeth Act V

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To study the 5th act of the play through close reading 
    • To analyze the 5th act and discuss 

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • review the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion
    • develop analytical writing     
    Content:

    Macbeth


    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Act V Discussion Questions:

      1. How does the conversation between Malcolm & Macduff represent the theme of appearance and reality?
      2. What is implication of Macbeth's dialogue - 'Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow...'?

    • url icon
      Macbeth Act V Video Lecture URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Week 8 Lessons 1: Review for Midterm

    • Midterm Syllabus: The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth

      Midterm Question Pattern:

      1. Broad Question (analytical) CLO 1 – 2 options from The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth (10 marks) 
      2. Broad Question (analytical) CLO 3 – 2 options from The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth (10 marks) 
      3. Explanation CLO 3 – 2 options from The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth (5 marks) 


    • Suggested topics from Macbeth:

      1. Supernatural/The role of the three witches
      2. The relationship between Macbeth & Lady Macbeth
      3. Macbeth as a tragedy
      4. Imagery in Macbeth
      5. Violence, brutality, and horror in Macbeth
      6. Nihilism in Macbeth
      Suggested topics from The Merchant of Venice:

      1. Tragedy/ Comedy
      2. Gender roles
      3. Shylock's character
      4. Justice and mercy
      5. Anti-Semitism
      6. Filial Piety

  • Week 9 Lessons 1 & 2: Midterm Review & Hamlet Introduction

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To get feedback on midterm scripts 
    • To get the background information about the play 
    • To grasp the plot and character map  

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the mistakes made in the scripts
    Content:
    Hamlet

  • Week 10 Lessons 1 & 2: Hamlet Act I & II

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the first 2 acts of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    Hamlet Act I & II

  • Week 11 Lessons 1 & 2: Presentation

    • assign icon
      Role Play Presentation Assignment
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Pair up with a student/classmate. Play the roles of any 2 characters from any play that you have studied. You should prepare dialogues where you will accuse the other character of doing something bad to you. The accused character should defend himself/herself against the accusation and accuse the other instead. The role-play should cover at least 5 min. 

      Presentation should be submitted by 28th November 2024.

      Please note that using costume or any props is not mandatory but optional. Consult the attached rubrics for getting a thorough idea about what is expected from you.


  • Week 12 Lessons 1 & 2: Hamlet Act III & IV (Part 1)

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the 3rd & 4th acts of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    Hamlet Act III & IV (part 1)

  • Week 13 Lessons 1 & 2: Hamlet Act IV (Part 2) & Act V

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To read the 4th & 5th acts of the play
    • To analyze characters with emphasis on psychoanalysis
    • To explain the relationship between the play and the historical/cultural contexts 
    • To recognize dramatic terms, themes
    • To evaluate the use of language and expressions.

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • analyze the play through group discussion and writing
    • identify terms, themes, strategies, and issues as are relevant to the works being studied

    Content:

    Hamlet Act IV (Part 2) & V

    • url icon
      Hamlet Act IV Video Lecture (Part 2) URL

    • Class Discussion Question:

      1. What Machiavellian characteristics are evident in Claudius?

      2. Do you like Hamlet? Why or why not?

    • url icon
      Hamlet Act V URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Students must
      Mark as done

      Classroom Discussion Question:

      Who do you like the most as an avenging hero - Laertes or Hamlet?


  • Week 14 Lessons 1 & 2: Quiz 3, As You Like It Introduction & Act I

    Lesson Objectives:

    • To get the background information about the play 
    • To grasp the plot and character map  
    • To study Act I and analyze

    Learning Outcome:

    At the end of the lessons, students will be able to -

    • get an overview of the play in details 
    • clarify their understanding through discussion 
    Content:

    As You Like It


    • url icon
      Introduction URL
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • url icon
      Act I URL
      Students must
      Mark as done

  • Final Exam Instructions

    • Syllabus: Hamlet

      Question Pattern:
      1. Broad Question from Hamlet from CLO 4: (2 options) 1x15=15
      2. Broad Question from Hamlet from CLO 5: (2 options) 1x15=15
      3. Explanations (4 options) 2x5=10 

    • Suggested Topics (Hamlet):

      1. Revenge tragedy
      2. Senecan elements
      3. Hamlet as a misogynist
      4. Hamlet's character/foils
      5. Soliloquies 
      6. Politics, power and corruption
      7. Supernatural element
      8. Death & suicide