William Shakespeare is undoubtedly the greatest dramatist —even the greatest writer— of all time. His impact on Western culture and language
is unmistakable, but his works have also been continuously read and performed around the world, illustrating his global significance. This
course is focussed on the close reading of three plays whose main are topics are power and leadership. Hamlet is a tragedy that is linked to
modernity: its hero faces doubt and resistance to reality by refusing the codes of the past. In Julius Caesar, ambition and power are mixed up with
patriotism and honour to represent the crisis of man and the institutions of the past. And finally, Henry V presents a positive hero who is able to
lead an entire nation in an almost impossible task, giving a unique model for teaching leadership in business administration and management courses.
Primary sources:
W. Shakespeare, Hamlet, Marsilio, English-Italian text
W. Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Garzanti, English-Italian text
W. Shakespeare, Henry V, Garzanti, English-Italian text
Secondary sources:
M. Stanco (a cura di), La letteratura inglese dall'Umanesimo al
Rinascimento, Carocci, 2016
R. Coronato, Leggere Shakespeare, Carocci, 2017
R. Coronato, Shakespeare: guida ad Amleto, Carocci, 2021
Bill Bryson, Il mondo è teatro, Tea, 2008.
Further study materials for each play will be given to students during the
teaching semester.