A15. Macbeth -- One Act at a Time (Foley) (Thursday)

Few works of literature can bear the kind of close scrutiny that Shakespeare’s tragedies can.  This course will offer a close, patient, analytical reading of one of those tragedies.  This approach, which worked well with Hamlet, is likely again to encourage us to attend to the often overlooked nuances of character and language which can enrich our understanding of the work as a whole.  Those who come to the class only generally familiar with the play will find the analysis and the in-class discussion stimulating.  Those whose views about the play are fully formed and seemingly intractable may be surprised!

GROUP LEADER:  James E. Foley.  A WISE group leader for over sixteen years, Jim Foley retired last year from his position as Associate Professor of English at Worcester State University.  His chief interests continue to be Shakespeare, 19^th-century American Literature, and Drama of all periods.

REQUIRED BOOK:  Any edition of Macbeth.