Welcome to Literature 210--Introduction to Shakespeare.

I'm in the process of updating web pages, so don't be alarmed to find some old ones go nowhere! However, for those who want to know something about the class, here it is.

I never teach anything that isn't useful and fun.  Litr. 210 is no different.  We study in depth three plays (we also have a test on each of them!).  We watch and discuss them and three (or four) other plays. The main goal is to remove the prejudice against Shakespeare, which seems to accompany students from their high school days. Ninety percent of Shakespeare is not difficult; the rest you can ignore.

As a theatre historian, my interests include the birth and development of English drama.  Shakespeare was one of many early dramatists, and he was the best.  However, since actors were officially classified as rogues and vagabonds, he led an interesting life.

The plays to be studied are

1. Richard III
2. The Merchant of Venice
3. King Lear

We will also watch:

1. Titus Andronicus
2. Henry IV, part 1
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream
4. Hamlet

I hope we can watch Shakespeare in Love--biographically it is nonsense, but as a picture of theatre life in the 1590s it's invaluable.

Dr. G. Cross

Plays to be Studies in Lit 210 (Dr. Cross):

Related Plays:

Related Films:

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ENGLISH MONEY THROUGH THE AGES

 Coins of Elizabeth I  (1558 - 1603)

Notes:

Gold was struck in two standards of fineness. Standard gold 23 carats 3½ grains. Crown gold 22 carats.

In 1603 silver was restored to the standard before Henry VIII debasement. i.e. 11oz 2dwt of silver to 18dwt alloy.

Both Henry VIII and Edward VI minted Farthings, Elizabeth did not. (See Pledges)

Henry VIII minted a silver Testoon worth 1 Shilling reduced in value from July 1551 to 9 Pence then 6 Pence.

In 1574 Shopkeeper's Tokens were manufactured in lead, pewter or tin, the scheme did not mature and an undated proclamation prohibited these Tokens and legalised a limited tender of ½d and ¼d "Pledges" made of pure copper.

In 1577 the City of Bristol was granted a license to make its own copper ¼d (farthing) square or diamond shaped coinage.

 Coins of James I  (1603-1625)  

Notes:

1603 the weight of the gold Pound was reduced, and the new coin called a Unite.

1612 all gold coins had their values increased by 10%, but in 1619 new lighter coins (Laurels, Spur-Ryals and Angels) were introduced at their original values.

1613 James I prohibited the practice of Tokens as they were a breach of the Royal prerogative.

1619-25 copper oval shaped Farthing Tokens were minted for circulation in Ireland.

In James I reign an Irish Shilling was tariffed in England at 9d and an Irish Groat (4d) at 3d.

The relative purchasing power of Scottish and English money remains unclear in any detail (Scotland being until 1707 politically a separate country). With the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. In 1603 Scottish money is worth one twelfth of the corresponding nominal amount of English money. The English ½d was equivalent to the Scottish 6d and the Scottish "Thistle-Merk" (sic) of 13s 4d (made current in England by proclamation in 1603) was worth 1s 1½d. An Act of Parliament in June 1686 established the exchange rate "as it had been under James I and Charles I " at 12:1.

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