This module explores representations of sexual and other forms of 'worldly' desire in English Renaissance culture, with a focus on literary texts from a variety of genres, in relation to a range of non-literary texts and discourses (eg philosophical, devotional, legal). Students will be invited to explore thematic connections between these different kinds of material, and the interaction between literature and a range of cultural and social contexts: themes will include sexual desire and the godly subject, desire as an instrument of rule, desire and social disorder, sexual desire and the demonisation of women.

Relating to two or more texts.

Contact hours will be taken up with Lectures, seminars, and small-group tutorials to support coursework planning.

OHP
Library
VCR
Internet

Selected lyric poetry
Edmund Spenser The Faerie Queene (extracts)
Christopher Marlowe EdwardII
John Webster The White Devil
William Shakespeare Measure for Measure