Course Contents

•Introduction to great tragedy King Lear by Shakespeare. Introduction to the Age of Shakespeare and its traits. Context of the features of Elizabethan age. Reading of the text of King Lear Act I (scene 1-2) with critical explanation. Discussion on the structure of the play.Discussion on title of the play. •Continuation of the reading of Act I (scene 3, 4, &5) focusing on the application of the features of tragedy by Aristotle on the selected text. Emphasis on the evaluation of all major and minor characters in the play. Significance and value of the character of King Lear in the play. Discussion on Shakespeare’s treatment to women in the play. •Discussion on the dominant subject matters of the play i.e. justice, authority versus chaos, redemption and reconciliation as well as an assessment to structure and sub-structure of the play King Lear while reading the text of Act II (scene 1& 2). Elaborate discussion on serious and tragic tone which occasionally bursts with comedy and its dramatic significance. •Reading of the text of King Lear Act II (scene 3 & 4). Discussion on important aspects of the play specifically dramatization of the play, Lear as a tragic hero. Significance of double plot. Continuation of reading of the text of Act III (scene 1, 2, & 3) Analysis of symbols, images and motifs used in the play. •Reading of the text of Act III (scene 4, 5, 6, & 7) with critical explanation and a detailed analysis of the characters of the play focusing the importance of the role of Fool. Use of soliloquies by Edmund and their significance.Reading of the text of Act IV (scene 1, scene 2, scene 3 & 4) with critical analysis of the lines. Discussion on King Lear as a tragic play and Lear as a tragic hero. Emphasis on the comparative analysis of female characters. •Reading of the text of Act IV (scene 5, 6, & 7) with critical examination of the lines. Emphasis on the use of imagery and symbols used in the play in Act IV. Reading of Act V (scene 1 & 2) with critical analysis of the lines. Examination of the tone of the play marked with occasional low comedy. Discussion on the motifs of madness and betrayal. Psychological analysis of the characters. •Reading of Act V (scene 3) with explanation of the lines. Final discussion on various critical topics of the play i.e. on significant symbols, motifs and images in the play specifically connotation of Lear’s ultimate tragic end with summing up discussion on poetic justice of the play. Revision of the whole play. Presentation •Introduction to the Age of Ben Jonson, characteristics and background of the Age. Reading of text Volpone of Act I (scene 1) and Act II (scene 1 & 2). Symbolic significance of the opening scene. Familiarization with genre of dark comedy. Reading of the text Volpone Act II (scene 3) and Act III (scene 1, 2, & 3) with critical appreciation. Detailed analysis of the major and minor characters in the play. Discussion on the principle themes of the play. • Completion of reading of Act III and critical analysis, Johnson’s representation of the role of women. Introduction to beast fables and significance. Discussion on title of the play. • Reading of Act IV, (scene 1 & 2) with critical appreciation of the lines. Detailed discussion on the play Volpone as a satire and • Volpone as comedy of humor. •Reading of the text of Volpone Act V, scene (1, 2, 3, 4) with critical appreciation. Detailed critical analysis of character of Volpone. Discussion on Volpone as Dark comedy. Reading of the text Act V, (scene 5, 6, 7, 8) with critical appreciation. Analysis of the plot structure of the play. Discussion on play Volpone as a beast fable. Revisions of the whole play Volpone. Summing up discussion through critical approaches. •Introduction to the Restoration Age, Restoration conventions, and influence of Restoration comedy development of Drama. Introduction to Congreve’s Comedy The way of the world. Discussion on title of the play. Reading of Text Act I and textual analysis. • Reading of Act II with critical explanation. Discussion on the Exposition of the play which is partial as Act I has almost no action. Importance of Medias Res regarding the opening of the play. Introduction to major and minor characters of the play and tension between the characters. Introduction to the major themes of the play. • Reading if Act III with critical analysis specifically theme of courtship in Restoration period. Emphasis on the character of Lady Wishfort as a stock character of Restoration drama. Discussion on the plot and sub-plot of the play specifically loose end of the play. • Reading of Act IV critically analyzing proviso scene in the play. Importance of brilliant dialogues. Emphasis on delineation of the characters of Fainfall, Mirabell and Millamant. • Reading of Act V with critical analysis of Epilogue. Discussion on the style of William Congreve, his use of wit and irony.