EA 190 Shakespeare & Japan Class Schedule (Spring 2017)
Dates and Outlines | Topics | Readings and Films | Assignment Due Dates | Reading & Discussion Questions |
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Week 1: April 5 |
1. Overview of Course 2. Lecture: Historical and Ahistorical Approaches to Shakespeare 3. Shakespeare's imagery 4. Meeting with East Asian librarian Ying Zhang on creating research bibliographies in LANGSON 228.
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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: |
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Week 2: April 12 |
Part One: Class discussion of Equivocation/Doubleness, Witchcraft and Fate in Shakespeare Part Two: Analyzing lines for imagery, character, theme in Macbeth (student presentations) |
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 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) Rhetorical Imagery in Macbeth
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Sign up sheet for analysis of Macbeth lines by April 11, 5 pm.
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Week 2: Discussion Notebook Questions and In-Class Presentation #1 Week1-2 Forum Question |
Week 3: April 19
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Part One: Lines from Last week Part Two: Gender in Macbeth Part Three: Imagery in Macbeth (student presentations) Introduction to Throne of Blood
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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.
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Sign up sheet for analysis of Macbeth imagery by April 18, 5 pm.
Initial research topic for bibliography assignment due. |
Discussion Questions/Presentation(Due in class)
Forum Question Week2-3 Macbeth and Nihilism (Due by Midnight April 18) |
Week 4: April 26 |
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
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1. WATCH THIS FIRST! Film: Kurosawa Akira's Throne of Blood (Kumonosu-jo) 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). See class links page. English translation of Throne of Blood screenplay 2. WATCH THIS SECOND: a. Optional English translation Adachigahara/Kurozuka b. Optional reading on Noh: Royall Tyler, "General Introduction" in Japanese Nō Drama 3. WATCH THIS THIRD: "Summer of Shakespeare" Video comparing Throne of Blood and Macbeth. In class we will be spending more time on Kurosawa's use of Noh, but this is a pretty good introduction. 4. READING: Religions in Japan Will discuss in class: a. Chanting sections in Throne of Blood |
Discussion Notebook Questions (due in class) Forum Question Weird Sisters vs. Hag (due by Midnight April 25) |
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Week 5: May 3 |
1) More on Historical contexts: Neo-Confucianism and the Development of Bushido (Way of the Warrior) 2) Comparing characters Macbeth: Washizu
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1. Historical Background (medieval and early modern): 3. Bushido:
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More developed topic for bibliography assignment due in dropbox by class.
Signup Sheet for Comparative Assignment 1(signup by May 2, 5 pm)
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Week 6: May 10 Class Outline |
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. |
Powerpoint due in dropbox by May 10, noon.
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Reading and Discussion Questions for next week (7) Forum Question |
Week 7: May 17 |
Tragedy in King Lear Faith and Skepticism in King Lear Theme and imagery (Class Presentation 3) Forum/Discussion question on what Lear and Gloucester learn from their suffering (and was it worth it) |
King Lear (Folger Shakespeare Library) Read these first: 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)
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Signup for analysis of King Lear imagery by May 16 | Week 7:
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Week 8: May 24 |
Historical Contexts and Influences for Kurosawa Akira's Ran Women in Medieval Japan
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: 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)
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May 24: First draft of bibliography assignment (topic and sources) due by DROP BOX. | Week 8: |
Week 9: May 31 |
Continued discussion on King Lear and Ran
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Signup sheet for Comparative Assignment 2, May 31 3 pm. | Week 9: Sign up for meetings with professor June 1 & 2
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Week 10: |
Comparative Assignment 2 Presentations on King Lear and Ran
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Comparative Assignment 2 Powerpoint due by DROP BOX June 7 by 12 pm. .
Final draft of bibliography assignment due Monday June 12 (midnight) by DROP BOX. |
Week 10: |