Dear all,
just to let you know, I am co-organising a conference in Trinity on the 5th and 6th of December. There is no fee to attend and you will get to hear some excellent speakers. You are all more than welcome to attend and it should give you a good insight into what constitutes an academic conference. Prof. Hattaway and Dr Wiggins are two of the most highly respected academics working on the early modern period and it is a wonderful opportunity to hear them both speak at Trinity. If you are interested just turn up on the day. For further information check out my Late Shakespeare blogspot.
Best wishes,
Rory Loughnane.
Late Shakespeare: Texts and Afterlives
A two-day international conference, held at Trinity College Dublin on 5th & 6th December 2008, interrogating things recent, late, and belated in the study of Shakespearean drama.
Plenary Speakers
Professor Michael Hattaway, MA, PhD, FEA
Emeritus Professor of English Literature, University of Sheffield.
Dr Martin Wiggins, MA, DPhil (Oxon)
Senior Lecturer and Fellow, Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Conference Organisers
Dr Andrew J. Power & Mr. Rory V. Loughnane
Contact information: lateshakespeare@gmail.com
Conference schedule and further information: http://lateshakespeare.blogspot.com
Time & venue: 5.15-8pm, 5th December, Uí Chadhain Theatre, Arts Building, TCD.
9.30am-6pm, 6th December, Uí Chadhain Theatre, Arts Building, TCD.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
General tips for essay writing!
Dear all,
here are a few general tips for writing your essays. These guidelines are by no means definitive, and, of course, everyone has a different writing style, but hopefully you will find these helpful!
* Answer the question!
It's very important to understand exactly what the question is asking of you. Ask yourself why is this question being asked about this text? Are there a number of things that are being asked of me? Are there a number of angles of approach to this question?
* Read the text (again!) with the question in mind.
You might be surprised to find that when you read the primary text again with the question in mind, that the text will open itself up to you in a number of different ways. Again reconsider why the question is being asked.
* Become critically aware.
While your own opinion on the text should shine through, you may find that reading secondary criticism will help you to engage with your own ideas in a better way.
* Use critics but don't rely on them!
Use secondary criticism to help you to express your own opinion as clearly as possible. However, don't merely repeat venerated interpretations of texts. Bear in mind, that these critics are offering their interpretations of texts but you don't have to necessarily agree. Use existing criticism to allow your own ideas to surface. There is no reward for drowning in a sea of disparate quotations!
* Have a clear answer in mind.
Everyone has a different approach to composition. Some people write numerous drafts which enable their ideas and emphasis to change with time. Other people do all their reading first and then piece together their opinions and quotations that support the text etc. etc. However the marker won't know about all your different drafts, or what information you chose to include and what information you chose to omit. The marker can only judge on the material presented. Make sure that you clearly state your opinion and clearly show how you are supporting this opinion using primary and secondary material.
* Be confident in your own opinion!
Essays are your opportunity to show how you have engaged with the text. By the end of the essay the marker should be able to see that you understand the primary material, are aware of the critical and contextual background to the text, and that you can interpret the text in a certain way which answers the question that has been set out.
* School of English style-guide.
Have a look at the School of English handbook for information regarding essay formatting and grammar.
Best of luck with the essays! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at loughnrv@tcd.ie .
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to having more great discussions in the New Year!
Best wishes,
Rory.
here are a few general tips for writing your essays. These guidelines are by no means definitive, and, of course, everyone has a different writing style, but hopefully you will find these helpful!
* Answer the question!
It's very important to understand exactly what the question is asking of you. Ask yourself why is this question being asked about this text? Are there a number of things that are being asked of me? Are there a number of angles of approach to this question?
* Read the text (again!) with the question in mind.
You might be surprised to find that when you read the primary text again with the question in mind, that the text will open itself up to you in a number of different ways. Again reconsider why the question is being asked.
* Become critically aware.
While your own opinion on the text should shine through, you may find that reading secondary criticism will help you to engage with your own ideas in a better way.
* Use critics but don't rely on them!
Use secondary criticism to help you to express your own opinion as clearly as possible. However, don't merely repeat venerated interpretations of texts. Bear in mind, that these critics are offering their interpretations of texts but you don't have to necessarily agree. Use existing criticism to allow your own ideas to surface. There is no reward for drowning in a sea of disparate quotations!
* Have a clear answer in mind.
Everyone has a different approach to composition. Some people write numerous drafts which enable their ideas and emphasis to change with time. Other people do all their reading first and then piece together their opinions and quotations that support the text etc. etc. However the marker won't know about all your different drafts, or what information you chose to include and what information you chose to omit. The marker can only judge on the material presented. Make sure that you clearly state your opinion and clearly show how you are supporting this opinion using primary and secondary material.
* Be confident in your own opinion!
Essays are your opportunity to show how you have engaged with the text. By the end of the essay the marker should be able to see that you understand the primary material, are aware of the critical and contextual background to the text, and that you can interpret the text in a certain way which answers the question that has been set out.
* School of English style-guide.
Have a look at the School of English handbook for information regarding essay formatting and grammar.
Best of luck with the essays! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at loughnrv@tcd.ie .
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to having more great discussions in the New Year!
Best wishes,
Rory.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Samuel Beckett's Endgame: Questions of the week!
Q1. Discuss the significance of physical disability in the play.
Q2. Is the ending of the play a message of hope or despair?
Q3. Discuss the father/son relationship between Nagg and Hamm? How are they dependent on each other?
Q4. Discuss the significance of the colour grey in the play.
Q2. Is the ending of the play a message of hope or despair?
Q3. Discuss the father/son relationship between Nagg and Hamm? How are they dependent on each other?
Q4. Discuss the significance of the colour grey in the play.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Questions of the Week: The Playboy of the Western World
1. Is there any note of hope for Pegeen Mike at the end of the play?
2. Is the play deliberately provocative in its depiction of a rural Irish community?
3. How does our knowledge of the furore surrounding the dramatisation of this play affect our reading of the play? Does the furore say more about the playgoers or the playwright?
4. Is stereotyping in drama always a negative and reductive practice?
2. Is the play deliberately provocative in its depiction of a rural Irish community?
3. How does our knowledge of the furore surrounding the dramatisation of this play affect our reading of the play? Does the furore say more about the playgoers or the playwright?
4. Is stereotyping in drama always a negative and reductive practice?
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Othello and Death of a Salesman questions of the week!
1. Compare and contrast the roles of Desdemona and Linda? What support do they provide for their respective husbands? How do they determine the outcome of each tragedy?
2. Can Death of a Salesman be seen as a critique of the "American Dream" or a critique of people investing too much hope in an abstract concept?
3. Discuss Iago's motivations in Othello? Bypassed for promotion and suspicious of Othello's relationship with his wife... Is Iago a victim of an unfair system? Or are the perceived slights only in Iago's mind?
4. What is the function of the requiem scene in Death of a Salesman? How does it alter our interpretation of the action that has preceded it?
2. Can Death of a Salesman be seen as a critique of the "American Dream" or a critique of people investing too much hope in an abstract concept?
3. Discuss Iago's motivations in Othello? Bypassed for promotion and suspicious of Othello's relationship with his wife... Is Iago a victim of an unfair system? Or are the perceived slights only in Iago's mind?
4. What is the function of the requiem scene in Death of a Salesman? How does it alter our interpretation of the action that has preceded it?
Re-scheduled Group 2 class
This re-scheduled class will take place on Thursday 13th November in room 4019 from 12-1.
RL
RL
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Essay questions for groups 2, 3 and 4.
Theatre
Answer on one of the following questions. Students must submit an essay of between 1,500 and 2,000 words. Submission deadlines can be found in the freshman student handbook.
Q1. In Oedipus the King can we attribute any fault to the central characters for their actions or are they entirely blameless and merely victims of the gods’ play?
Q2. “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to her,
That he should weep for her?” (Ham. 2.2.494-5)
Discuss the idea of role-playing in Hamlet.
Q3. “Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence in’t?” (Ham. 3.2.226)
Discuss the significance of the play-within-the-play in Hamlet.
Q4. Discuss Iago’s motivations in Othello. Does he deserve any sympathy for the actions he takes? Is he merely an opportunist attempting to advance his career or are his actions entirely malevolent?
Q5. Discuss Miller’s challenge to the notion of heroic action in Death of a Salesman.
Q6. Discuss Synge’s depiction of an Irish rural community in Playboy of the Western World. Does Synge use irony to challenge stereotyping?
Q7. In Endgame, how does Beckett satirise the ritualistic element of contemporary society?
Q8. In any two plays from Michaelmas Term, discuss the idea of unrequited love.
Q9. Discuss genre in relation to any three texts from the course and address and defend why each play adheres to such classification.
Q10. Classifying drama into genres over-simplifies and demerits the power of that drama. Discuss.
Rory Loughnane
loughnrv@tcd.ie
Answer on one of the following questions. Students must submit an essay of between 1,500 and 2,000 words. Submission deadlines can be found in the freshman student handbook.
Q1. In Oedipus the King can we attribute any fault to the central characters for their actions or are they entirely blameless and merely victims of the gods’ play?
Q2. “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to her,
That he should weep for her?” (Ham. 2.2.494-5)
Discuss the idea of role-playing in Hamlet.
Q3. “Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence in’t?” (Ham. 3.2.226)
Discuss the significance of the play-within-the-play in Hamlet.
Q4. Discuss Iago’s motivations in Othello. Does he deserve any sympathy for the actions he takes? Is he merely an opportunist attempting to advance his career or are his actions entirely malevolent?
Q5. Discuss Miller’s challenge to the notion of heroic action in Death of a Salesman.
Q6. Discuss Synge’s depiction of an Irish rural community in Playboy of the Western World. Does Synge use irony to challenge stereotyping?
Q7. In Endgame, how does Beckett satirise the ritualistic element of contemporary society?
Q8. In any two plays from Michaelmas Term, discuss the idea of unrequited love.
Q9. Discuss genre in relation to any three texts from the course and address and defend why each play adheres to such classification.
Q10. Classifying drama into genres over-simplifies and demerits the power of that drama. Discuss.
Rory Loughnane
loughnrv@tcd.ie
Group 2 Re-scheduled class
Dear Group Two,
due to low attendance at today's re-scheduled class, I will be re-scheduling another class on Hamlet after Reading Week. Prepare Othello and Death of a Salesman for the first class after Reading Week and we will re-schedule an appropriate time after that class.
Best wishes,
Rory Loughnane.
due to low attendance at today's re-scheduled class, I will be re-scheduling another class on Hamlet after Reading Week. Prepare Othello and Death of a Salesman for the first class after Reading Week and we will re-schedule an appropriate time after that class.
Best wishes,
Rory Loughnane.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Group 2 Theatre Re-scheduled class
Dear Group 2 (normally 4-5 Monday),
because of the Bank holiday this week, we have to re-schedule our class on Hamlet. Meet me at 4pm on Thursday outside room 4019. If you can't make this re-scheduled class please email me at loughnrv@tcd.ie
Best wishes,
Rory Loughnane.
because of the Bank holiday this week, we have to re-schedule our class on Hamlet. Meet me at 4pm on Thursday outside room 4019. If you can't make this re-scheduled class please email me at loughnrv@tcd.ie
Best wishes,
Rory Loughnane.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Questions of the Week!
What reasons does Hamlet give for procrastinating over the murder of Claudius? Which reasons do you find convincing?
How are the female characters presented in the play? Are Ophelia and Gertrude merely pawns in the political world of Elsinore, or influential players in the power struggle?
Is Claudius a good King? Discuss his treatment of Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and Gertude.
Discuss the significance of the graveyard scene. What comic relief does the clown bring, and how does this conflict with/or parallel Ophelia's "funeral"?
Discuss spying in Elsinore.
How are the female characters presented in the play? Are Ophelia and Gertrude merely pawns in the political world of Elsinore, or influential players in the power struggle?
Is Claudius a good King? Discuss his treatment of Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern and Gertude.
Discuss the significance of the graveyard scene. What comic relief does the clown bring, and how does this conflict with/or parallel Ophelia's "funeral"?
Discuss spying in Elsinore.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Questions of the Week!
Discuss the conflict between personal liberty and fate in Oedipus the King.
Can we condemn Oedipus's actions in the tragedy?
What dramatic effect does the unity of time, action and place in the Oedipus the King create?
What use is made of the metaphor of blindness in the play?
Can we condemn Oedipus's actions in the tragedy?
What dramatic effect does the unity of time, action and place in the Oedipus the King create?
What use is made of the metaphor of blindness in the play?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Class Schedule
Michaelmas Term
Tutorial 1: Introduction to theatre
Tutorial 2: Sophocles, Oedipus the King and Aristotle, Poetics
Tutorial 3: Shakespeare, Hamlet and Sidney, Defence of Poetry
Reading Week
Tutorial 4: Shakespeare, Othello and Miller, Death of a Salesman
Tutorial 5: Synge, The Playboy of the Western World
Tutorial 6: Beckett, Endgame
Tutorial 1: Introduction to theatre
Tutorial 2: Sophocles, Oedipus the King and Aristotle, Poetics
Tutorial 3: Shakespeare, Hamlet and Sidney, Defence of Poetry
Reading Week
Tutorial 4: Shakespeare, Othello and Miller, Death of a Salesman
Tutorial 5: Synge, The Playboy of the Western World
Tutorial 6: Beckett, Endgame
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
About this Blog
The aim of this Blog is to provide a space for my JF Theatre students to discuss selected plays from the course. The Blog will complement classroom discussions while also enabling students to interact with students from my other Theatre classes.
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