Dystopic visions: Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeare’s so-called ‘Problem Plays’, a group of works in the 1600s that make even more overt Shakespeare’s narrative tendency to refuse absolutely to settle into ‘happily ever after’. Although ostensibly about Vienna, Catholic nuns and Viennese brothels, it reflects the Jacobean Puritanism of Shakespeare’s London. Repressed sexuality, authoritarianism with its customary use of summary violence, an absentee ruler flip flopping between extremism and unfocused tolerance, all paint a picture of a country in crisis.

Lawrence also is writing at a time of crisis. Britain has come out of World War I with a shuddering realisation of its own murderousness and a new generation intent on changing the norms. What does Lawrence focus on? Repressed sexuality, an effete ruling class playing with tolerance, but expecting extremist privilege - a very similar palette of colours to Shakespeare’s depiction of the England of three hundred years previously.

Both writers are writing between times of huge upheaval. Shakespeare has Henry VIII’s tyranny and his extirpation of the Catholic Church behind him and the English Civil War lying ahead. Lawrence is between two cataclysmic wars that reshape England’s position in the world. They are both looking at rulership and the dominant politics and powerful beliefs of their time and intend to provoke. That they still do is a testament to their power and their intention.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Awareness of the politics and beliefs of the two works.  
• Understanding of the two works’ main characters and their role in fomenting debate  
• An awareness of the problem of closure in the two works 

Classes

1. Measure for Measure - The Duke  
2. Measure for Measure - Isabella  
3. Measure for Measure - ‘Problems’ and ‘solutions’  
4. Lady Chatterley’s Lover - The state of Britain  
5. Lady Chatterley’s Lover - Hope for the future

Required reading

Shakespeare - Measure for Measure (any edition)  

D. H. Lawrence - Lady Chatterley’s Lover (any edition) 

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.