THEATRE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This third-year course aims to perfect the skills gained in the first two years of the BA course in Lingue, Civiltà e Scienze del Linguaggio (literary and cultural path) and to strengthen the students’ basic knowledge of the history of English literature and culture. It will focus on Shakespeare, his historical and cultural context, and the ways in which his plays are adapted into new contexts, particularly our present anthropocenic moment.

The course aims to improve the students’ ability to use analytic instruments and methods, as well as to make autonomous judgements. The course, also in view of the writing of their BA dissertation and of further study, will enhance their skills in academic writing and in oral communication of the results of their research.

Classes will be held in English. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Shakespeare.

The King and the Butterflies: Shakespeare in the Environmental Crisis

In this course we will focus on a famous Shakespearean play to investigate its relevance for our own times of environmental crisis. We will be reading *King Lear*'s text(s), examining its interpretations, performances, and adaptations on stage and screen in light of the planetary challenge posed by climate change, looking for diagnosis and hope, memory and vision. We will discuss modern ecocritical interpretations of the tragedy and strategies used by modern critics, directors and actors to address environmental concerns.

Primary texts:
W. Shakespeare, *King Lear*, Arden Shakespeare Third series, ed. R.A. Foakes, 1997.
(NB: you are allowed to use a second edition with Italian translation but are required to use the Arden Third Series edition because of the substantial differences between the various texts)

Critical essays by Jennifer Mae Hamilton, Gabriel Egan, Joseph Campana, Lynne Bruckner, Steve Mentz, Simon Estok, Craig Dionne, and others (available on Moodle page).

The final exam will be based on a continuous assessment system and a final research paper.
Non-attending students will be required to write a final research paper.

Lectures, class discussion, online activities.

English

In case the university is not fully accessible during the first semester, the class will take place in a blended or online format with no substantial changes to the programme.

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development