English 312SF - Shakespeare and Film

We will read plays by Shakespeare, watch films based on those plays, and study the plays, the films, and the plays-as-films. 'Shakespeare' comes first, of course, both historically and as the source/inspiration for the films. Yet each film has its own existence, to be understood not just as an 'adaptation,' but also as the product of linked artistic, technical, and economic choices. Considering Shakespeare's plays as pre-texts (rather than pre-scriptions), we will look at early and recent films, both those that follow closely conventionalized conceptualizations of 'Shakespeare,' and those that tend to erase or emend their Shakespearean sources.

This course is open to Juniors and Seniors.; Prereq: 8 credits in department beyond English 101, including English 211.