Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - ENGL 312 E100

Shakespeare and the Stage: 1570-1642 (4)

Power, Performance and Politics

Class Number: 2291

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Mon, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    30 units or two 200-division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Study of the dramatic works of William Shakespeare and other early modern English authors. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught.

COURSE DETAILS:

“Shakespeare: Power, Performance and Politics"

This course will focus on four of Shakespeare’s richest political plays: Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Richard II, and Julius Caesar. We will begin by looking at a selection of chapters from Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, an early modern work that illuminates political drama as well as, or better than, any other work. Shakespeare and his contemporaries may not have had access to full and authoritative editions of Machiavelli, but they saw the importance of his insights into power, performance and politics. Then we will turn to one of Shakespeare’s first plays, Titus Andronicus, a political revenge play set in Rome. We will then read two of Shakespeare’s greatest English history plays: the justly famous Richard III and the underrated masterpiece Richard II. With our final play, we circle back to Rome, and examine one of Shakespeare’s most powerful political plays: Julius Caesar. In addition to being very entertaining, all of these plays treat the interrelated themes of scheming, ambition and the exercise of power. 

Students will be required to use David Wootton's (Hackett Publishers) online or paperback edition of Machiavelli’s The Prince, which is a superb (and affordable) translation. It is essential. We will read just under one half of this short work. The course syllabus will be posted on Canvas and will tell you which chapters to read. I've chosen the Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare editions in paperback as our course texts. These are among the finest editions available (kindle/e-book edition are allowed). Please acquire these online or from a local bookstore. (NB: please avoid buying the Arden edition of Shakespeare's Collected Works. There are neither notes nor introductions in that edition, alas. Just get the individual works.)

Here is the order of our reading: Wootton's Machiavelli (selected chapters), Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Richard II, and Julius Caesar.

You will be put in small groups to work together to give short presentations (5 minutes per person and thus approximately 15 minutes per group). This is a collective assignment and a modest amount of Seminar time will be allocated to this. There is no final exam. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Comprehend Shakespearean drama at a high level. Write about the plays effectively. Read early modern texts very carefully, and develop a grounding in the relevant political thought. Analyze the key decisions taken by major protagonists. Enjoy these deep, rich plays.

Grading

NOTES:

Attendance and class participation                                             15

Short group presentations                                                            5   

First (aka mid-term) Essay (approx. 7 pages)                             40

Second (aka end-of-term) essay (approx. 7 pages)                     40

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

The texts for this class are widely available and my be ordered either at local bookstores or online.


REQUIRED READING:

The Prince, Machiavelli. Edited by David Wootton
ISBN: 978-0872203167

Richard II, Shakespeare. Ed. C. Forker. Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1903436332

Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare. Ed. J. Bate (2nd edition). Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1350030916

Richard III, Shakespeare. Ed. J. Siemon. Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1903436899

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare. Ed. D. Daniell. Arden Bloomsbury Shakespeare.
ISBN: 9781903436219

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.