Aims
This course aims to:
1. Gain a greater knowledge of the arts in Shakespeare’s time;
2. Evaluate the relationship between poetry, painting and music;
3. Understand the cultural, social and political influences at work in the arts.
Content
Music, visual art and literature abounded in Elizabethan and Jacobean culture. At the court and beyond it, the three arts shared important purposes, as patrons, scholars and artisans used them to win friends and influence people. Not acting alone, however, the arts were heavily interlinked. Many cultural phenomena, including court entertainments, civic processions and religious ceremonies, combined the arts to create a lasting impression. Meanwhile, poets, painters and musicians frequently referred to each other in their works. We’ll consider the fascinating relationship between the different crafts in the visually and aurally rich world of Shakespeare’s England.
Presentation of the course
Each session will consist of an illustrated lecture discussing major themes and interpretations, and will then open up to a wider class discussion.
Class sessions
- Introduction: Poets, Painters and Musicians in Shakespeare’s England
In this introductory session we’ll explore the place of the artisan in Elizabethan and Jacobean society, their training, interests and relationships with audiences.
- Poetry and Potency
This session will introduce the social and political functions of poetry at the Elizabethan and Jacobean courts, with reference to key examples of poets and their work.
- Visual Art and Verisimilitude
In this lecture we will explore the period’s expectations of visual art, and how they differ from our expectations today.
- Music and Magnificence
This session will introduce some key musicians in Tudor and Jacobean society, and give an overview of the ways music was used by patrons and others.
- Religious Controversy
This lecture will review some of the effects of the Reformation on music, art and poetry, from Protestant ‘sensory’ objections to secret Catholic continuity.
- What Can Artisans Do For Us? Patrons and the Arts
This session will explore the patron’s role in influencing artisans, and vice versa.
- Elizabeth I and the Artisans
This lecture explores the use made of the arts by Elizabeth I and her courtiers to promote her reign at home and abroad.
- Entertainments: The Arts in Concert
This lecture will hone in on examples of the arts working together to entertain the courts of Elizabeth I and James I and VI, especially the development of the court masque.
- Pretty Morals: Poetry, Painting and Music in Domestic Decoration
This lecture explores the role of musical, poetic and pictorial themes in the period’s interior decoration, including furniture, wall paintings and hangings.
- Shakespearean Essentials
This lecture explores the role of the arts in Shakespeare’s plays, and what this can tell us about the role of the arts more generally.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course:
- Increase awareness of the roles that the arts could play in English society
- Discover key examples of visual, verbal and musical art from the period
- Better understand the impact of social, religious and political changes on the arts
- Acquire a greater understanding of English society, history and culture
Typical week: Monday to Friday
Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.
Courses are complemented by a series of 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.
c.7.30am-9.00am
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Breakfast in College (for residents)
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9.00am-10.30am
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Am Course
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11.00am-12.15pm
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Plenary Lecture
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12.15pm-1.30pm
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Lunch
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1.30pm-3.00pm
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Pm Course
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3.30pm-4.45pm
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Plenary Lecture/Free
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6.00pm/6.15pm-7.15pm
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Dinner in College (for residents)
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7.30pm onwards
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Evening talk/Event/Free
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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 £75 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 after the programme.