1. Overview of Course

2. Meeting with East Asian librarian Ying Zhang on creating research bibliographies in LANGSON 228.

3. Lecture: Historical and Ahistorical Approaches to Shakespeare: Reformation, Witchcraft, Politics

1. Macbeth (Folger Shakespeare Library DVD edition): Read pp. xi-xlviii (introductory material) and pp. 197-207, Susan Snyder, "Macbeth: A Modern Perspective" (Folger Shakespeare Library DVD edition). See Reading Questions at right.

2. Macbeth (the play), pp. 3-191.

3. Watch the film version of a 2008 theatrical performance of Macbeth directed by Teller and Aaron Posner that accompanies Macbeth above. The directors suggest you watch the film first and then read the text. Either is fine. But you should read the '"Director's Forward" (pp. vii-x) so you understand what they are trying to do. I would also suggest TURNING ON THE SUBTITLES as you watch it!

Week 1:

Reading Questions

Part One: Class discussion of Legitimation and Divine Right of Kings, Equivocation/Doubleness, Witchcraft and Fate in Shakespeare

Part Two: Analyzing lines for imagery, character, theme in Macbeth

Overview (Continued)

1. Same as above, plus watch the "Special Features" on the DVD of Macbeth.

2. Alexander Leggatt, "Contextual Overview" and "Chronology" in Leggatt, ed., William Shakespeare's Macbeth: A Sourcebook.

Discussion on Legitimacy, Divine Right of Kings and Treason

1. Optional: "Discourses of Sovereignty" in Macbeth: Texts and Contextspp. 185-191.

Discussion of the role of Witches, Prophecy, Fate, Doubleness/Equivocation

1. "Witchcraft and Prophecy" Macbeth: Texts and Contexts pp. 300-307, pp. 330-335.

2. Optional: News from Scotland 1591 (Macbeth: Texts and Contexts pp. 313-325), see also this shorter excerpt)

3. Optional: King James 1, Daemonology, 1597 (Macbeth: Texts and Contexts pp. 325-328)

4. Optional: A "Prophecy" performed for James I in 1605

5. Further Reading: Stephen Greenblatt "Shakespeare Bewitched" in Tetsuo Kishi, Roger Pringle and Stanley Wells, ed. "Shakespeare and Cultural Traditions" (University of Delaware Press, Newark, 1994)

Sign up sheet for analysis of lines by April 7, 5 pm.

How to access sign up sheet.

Week 2:

Discussion Questions

Forum Question

Gender in Macbeth

Imagery in Macbeth

Discussion of 2008 version of Macbeth directed by Teller and Aaron Posner

Introduction to Throne of Blood

We will work our way through the text, focusing particular attention on the lines that were assigned last week. We will also focus on the development of character and how imagery is used to support themes of doubleness, boundary-crossing, and gender.

1. "Discourses of the Feminine" Macbeth: Texts and Contexts, pp. 344-352.

Sign up sheet for analysis of imagery by April 14, 5 pm.

Initial research topic for bibliography assignment due.

Discussion Questions

Forum Question

Plot and character differences between Macbeth and Throne of Blood

Historical Contexts (medieval and modern)

Intro Japanese Religion, Intro to Noh Theatre

The Role of Noh in Throne of Blood

1. Film: Kurosawa Akira's Throne of Blood (Kumonosu-jo) On reserve in Media Center: PN1997.K8613 1991, but also available in many places on the internet including Amazon instant video. If you can, watch it twice to see both subtitled versions (unless your Japanese is native).

English translation of Throne of Blood screenplay

2. The Influence of Noh on Throne of Blood
a. Noh play Adachigahara/Kurozuka
b. Video: Kurozuka
c. Royall Tyler, "General Introduction" in Japanese Nō Drama (Penguin, )

3. Religions in Japan
a. Wm. Theodore de Bary "Japanese Religion" in Arthur E. Tiedemann, ed., An Introduction to Japanese Civilization (Columbia UP, 1974)

Will discuss in class:

a. Chanting sections in Throne of Blood
b. Tale of the Heike "The Gion Temple" pp. 6-7

Discussion Questions

Forum Question

1) More on Historical contexts:

Neo-Confucianism and the Development of Bushido (Way of the Warrior)

Role of Women in Medieval Japan

2) Comparing characters

Macbeth: Washizu
Lady Macbeth: Asaji
Weird Sisters: Hag of the Forest

1. Historical Background (medieval and early modern):
Mikiso Hane, Modern Japan: A Historical Survey (pp. 6-37)

2. Kurosawa Interviews

3. Bushido:
Tale of the Heike "Fuji River" pp. 331, "The Death of Atsumori," pp. 316-17; "The Fight at Dan no Ura" pp. 181-84.

More developed topic for bibliography assignment due.

Signup Sheet for Comparative Assignment 1(due by April 28, 5 pm)

Discussion Questions

Forum Question

Comparative Assignment 1 presentations

Intro to King Lear

Read ahead in King Lear (Folger Shakespeare Library) -- see assignment below and reading/discussion questions for week 7.

Comparative Assignment 1 on Macbeth and Throne of Blood

Powerpoint due by dropbox

Reading and Discussion Questions for next week (7)

Signup for Presentations Week 7

Tragedy in King Lear

Faith and Skepticism in King Lear

Theme and imagery (class presentations)

King Lear (Folger Shakespeare Library)

Read these first:
Editor's Preface (xiii-xv); Reading Shakespeare's Language (xv-xxx, similar to essay in Macbeth but uses examples specific to King Lear); An Introduction to This Text (lvi-lxvii, explaining the editing decisions on choosing the folio over the quarto version)

Then read the play and Susan Snyder's essay on the play, in either order:

King Lear (6-261)

Essay: King Lear: A Modern Perspective (289-99)

Week 7:
Reading and Discussion Questions

Finish Imagery in King Lear

Forum/Discussion question on what Lear and Gloucester learn from their suffering (and was it worth it)

Historical Contexts and Influences for Kurosawa Akira's Ran

Noh and Kyogen in Ran

Film: Ran (on reserve at Media Center PN 1997.R36 2005). Also available in a myriad of forms online.

English Translation of Ran film script:
Color version Pt 1, Color Version Pt 2
[NOTE: the script is not identical to the filmed version. It was used by Kurosawa to film, but in the film version of Ran lines have been cut or added, and scenes may not be in the same order as the screenplay.]

Supplementary materials on Ran:

Kurosawa Interviews Kurosawa discusses his influences and intentions in making Ran and Throne of Blood

Semimaru (Noh play): the basis for the Tsurumaru character (who is actually played by a Kyogen actor, Nomura Mansai)

Funa Benkei excerpt (Noh play): basis for Kyoami's dance and Hidetora's nightmare

short intro to Kyogen: helpful for understanding Kyoami as kyogen actor. Note that Kurosawa also discusses the role of Kyoami in one the interviews (above).

Night attack on the Sanjo Palace scroll, which Kurosawa is said to have used as a visual basis for the burning of the third castle in Ran. First read introduction to the story of the Heiji Rebellion. Then click on interactive guide on right, and see guide to warrior armor on right.

Janet Goff, "Foxes in Japanese Culture" (66-77) which includes a summary of the story of the fox Tamamo no Mae that Kurogane tells when he presents the head of the fox-Inari deity to Kaede.

The Death Stone (Sesshōseki) Noh play about the fox Tamamo no Mae

images of foxes in Kyogen and Noh

Samurai armor (Stephen Turnbull)

Week 8:
Discussion and Viewing Questions

Sign up for meetings with professor

Continued discussion on King Lear and Ran

Comparative Assignment 2 Presentations on King Lear and Ran

Comparative Assignment 2 Drop box

Final draft of bibliography assignment due Monday June 8 (midnight) by DROP BOX.