The course is focused on the main features of English literature and
British drama. The course aims at providing the students with a solid background, developing their critical reading, through the study of the most significant authors of English literature and British drama from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century.
William Shakespeare Le commedie romantiche, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2007.
William Shakespeare Sogno di una notte di mezza estate, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2013.
Keir Elam e Lilla Maria Crisafulli Manuale di letteratura e cultura inglese, Bologna,
BUP, 2009
Loretta Innocenti Il teatro elisabettiano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994.
Booklet with articles and essays
Learning Objectives
The course will focus on various aspects of Shakespeare's Romantic
comedies and of Elizabethan theatre. In particular, the course will focus on A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The course aims at giving students a first approach to Shakespeare's theatre
and drama, giving them a background on Elizabethan theatre and drama,
Knowledge and understanding: Students will become familiar with historical and cultural contexts of Early Modern Theatre and literature, and will acquire the critical tools to cope with the formal and substantive components of the literary texts analysed during the lessons.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Students learn how to apply processes, models, questions, and theories that result in enhanced clarity in the comprehension of literary texts, which will be appreciated in both their formal and their contentual features.
Making judgements: Students are able to discuss the literary questions considered during the course, proposing critical perspectives and well-grounded judgements on the texts included in the programme.
Communication skills: Ability to convey meaning orally effectively, with particular reference to themes and questions considered during the lessons.
Learning skills: Students acquire the methodological tools needed to read, analyse and understand literary texts in their various generic structures.
Prerequisites
the prerequisites are those provided for the course of study
Teaching Methods
lectures with the aid of powerpoint presentation, DVD, internet
Further information
Te course will take place in the second semester.
You can contact prof. Cioni via e-mail at
fernando.cioni@unifi.it
Type of Assessment
Type of Assessment
Oral and/or written exam. The exam will test students knowledge of:
1. The history of English literature and theatre.
2. Specific issues and themes in the renaissance
3. The key texts and critical literature included in the reading list.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the key texts included in the reading list, and to place them within their contexts of production and reception.
The test will be considered passed if the candidates demonstrate adequate knowledge in 1,2,3.
The exam aims to assess:
- The knowledge of key concepts in the history of English literature and theatre.
- The ability to describe and place literary phenomena within their contexts of production and reception;
- The ability of close reading and appreciation of all the texts included in the reading list as well as a thorough command of methodological and theoretical tools;
- The ability to use formal and critical terminology.
Students will demonstrate that they can discuss the subjects treated during the course, propose connections between different authors and works, and express themselves clearly.
Grades are given on the basis of 30 points. Points are awarded if students are able to 1) describe form and contents of the texts studied, 2) understand, summarize and propose critical readings of those texts, 3) elaborate personal judgements that are solidly grounded on the text and/or secondary literature, 4) use appropriate terms. Nos. 1 and 4 are essential in order to obtain the minimum passing grade (18/30); higher evaluations depends on how students have developed their skills in all four points listed above.
activities and tests on e-learning Platform moodle
Course program
Key texts
William Shakespeare Le commedie romantiche, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2007.
William Shakespeare Sogno di una notte di mezza estate, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2013.
Critical Readings
Keir Elam e Lilla Maria Crisafulli (a cura di) Manuale di letteratura e cultura inglese, Bologna, BUP, 2009 (pp. 1-138; pp. 181-218; pp. 281-296; pp. 327-358; pp. 385-412).
Giorgio Melchiori “Shakespeare e il mestiere del teatro” *
Northrop Frye “L’argomento della commedia”, in William Shakespeare Commedie romantiche, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2007.
Fernando Cioni “Introduzioni” in William Shakespeare Commedie romantiche, a cura di Fernando Cioni, Milano, Rizzoli, 2007.
Fernando Cioni "Guida a Sogno di una notte di mezz'estate", Roma, Carocci, 2022.
Renée Girard “L’amore ama le lodi. Valentino e Proteo nei Due Gentiluomini di Verona” *
Robert S. Miola “The infuence of New Comedy on The Comedy of Errors e and The Taming of the Shrew” *
Loretta Innocenti Il teatro elisabettiano (cap. 1 “I teatri”)*
Other texts and critical readings will be included in a booklet available at
the beginning of the course.
slides and other materials will be available on e-learning platform moodle