Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/shakespeare-twelfth-night-comedy-community-applied
If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the world of Shakespeare beyond the usual classroom experience, then the course ‘William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community’ on Coursera is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Offered by the University of Colorado Boulder and featuring insights from actors and scholars, this course provides a comprehensive exploration of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.
### Course Overview
The course spans several modules, each designed to peel back the layers of ‘Twelfth Night’, highlighting its humor, complexity, and the various themes that permeate the narrative.
1. **Twelfth Night and the World of the Play**: This module sets the stage, quite literally, by introducing you to the historical context and cultural significance of ‘Twelfth Night’. The exploration of the carnivalesque aspects of the play successfully engages students by presenting multiple viewpoints through interviews and discussions among theatre practitioners.
2. **Desire, Identity, and Chaos**: The second module delves into the central theme of desire and the chaos it instigates. Here, the coursework brings to life Shakespeare’s understanding of human psychology, inviting students to ponder love’s follies and the intoxicating madness it creates.
3. **Class, Comedy, and Conflict**: This module discusses how social expectations fuel conflict within the play, spotlighting the interactions between Malvolio, Sir Toby, and Maria, which are rife with humor and tension. It opens a dialogue about the darker undertones of desire in our society.
4. **Twelfth Night and the Limits of Comedy**: In this thought-provoking module, students learn how Shakespeare both adheres to and challenges comedic conventions, focusing on the complexity of character resolutions and the societal implications of exclusion from the happy endings typical of comedies.
5. **Applied Shakespeare in the Community**: This module showcases a contemporary interpretation of the play, examining how its themes resonate with current issues, particularly through the lens of Malvolio’s character. It’s a brilliant case study about the relevance of Shakespeare’s work in today’s world.
6. **Optional Bonus Module**: The course offers additional footage from full-length actor interviews, which are not mandatory but provide an enriching resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of ‘Twelfth Night’.
### My Recommendation
This course is suitable for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Its interdisciplinary approach, combining theater and academia, caters to various learning styles while providing a rich, multifaceted understanding of ‘Twelfth Night’. The insights from actors enrich the course, making the material not just educational but also engaging.
If you’re intrigued by themes of identity, love, and societal conflict, or if you simply wish to appreciate Shakespearean humor in a new light, I wholeheartedly recommend enrolling in this course on Coursera. Whether pursuing personal growth or academic study, you will find valuable insights and perspectives on one of Shakespeare’s most complex works. Don’t miss this chance to explore the interplay of comedy, conflict, and community in ‘Twelfth Night’.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/shakespeare-twelfth-night-comedy-community-applied