William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community from Coursera

This course introduces and explores William Shakespeare’s classic comedy, Twelfth Night. Interviews with actors who appeared in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s 2019 production of Twelfth Night, as well as lectures by scholars and theater professionals who work and teach at the University of Colorado Boulder, offer students insight into Shakespeare’s artistic vision and its applications. Exploring Shakespeare’s language, his characters, his humor and his world view, the lectures, interviews, and interactive learning experiences that make up this class will help students comprehend the power of Shakespearean comedy and the abiding appeal of Twelfth Night for its original audience and our contemporary moment. You'll explore the relationship between comedy and tragedy, the conflict inherent in desire, and the ways Shakespeare's words and works engaged his community, and yours.

This course strives to be of interest to multiple audiences, but we think it may particularly appeal to...

* Shakespeare enthusiasts and the Shakespeare curious in all walks of life

* Actors, theater practitioners, and teachers of Shakespeare everywhere

* Secondary school and college students interested in expanding their studies of Shakespeare

* Interested readers with little or no familiarity with Shakespeare

What's inside

Syllabus

Twelfth Night and the World of the Play

This module provides an overview of Twelfth Night and introduces the play by exploring key aspects of the world it imagines. The interviews, lectures, and faculty roundtable explore the carnivalesque quality of the play, its humor, its language, and significant historical contexts. Dialogues with scholars and theater practitioners provide multiple perspectives on the nature of this narrative universe.

Desire, Identity, and Chaos in Twelfth Night

This module focuses on Shakespeare’s understanding of human psychology, especially the experience of desire. Twelfth Night dramatizes the folly associated with love, and also—as with all of Shakespeare’s comedies—revels in the tumult love creates. The world depicted in this play is characterized by a kind of collective madness that grows ever more chaotic as it progresses.

Class, Comedy, and Conflict in Twelfth Night

Module Three emphasizes how assumptions about social order fuel conflict in the play. The previous module emphasized the humor that derives from desire, but also the awareness of grimmer aspects of desire. The lectures, interviews and roundtables in this unit focus on desires that are not allowed. Desire creates conflict. This aspect of Twelfth Night is most obviously evident in the interactions among a number of the play’s minor characters, especially the conflict between Malvolio, on the one hand, and Sir Toby and Maria, on the other.

Twelfth Night and the Limits of Comedy

This module focuses on how Shakespeare’s play both conforms to the expectations of the comedic genre and challenges the genre’s conventions. Such tensions are especially evident in the play’s resolution. Even as the play provides the marriages expected at the end of a comedy, the play also draws attention to characters excluded from such happy endings. Twelfth Night derives great humor from the chaos prompted by love; but the conflicts unleashed in the course of the play’s action cannot all be resolved by the marriage of some members of the community.

Applied Shakespeare in the Community: A Case Study

In this module we will briefly explore a case study of how Twelfth Night has been re-interpreted and repurposed by the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare in the Schools project. Module five examines how Malvolio's story offers a platform for conversations relevant to our own day about communities and violence.

OPTIONAL BONUS MODULE: Optional Full-Length Actor Interviews

In this optional bonus module, we include for you the full-length Twelfth Night actor interviews in case you are interested in digging deeper into these discussions. Reviewing these videos isn't a course requirement, but we wanted to include them for your benefit.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

In-depth exploration of Shakespeare's classic comedy, Twelfth Night

Includes interviews with actors who performed in a professional production of Twelfth Night

Taught by university scholars and theater professionals

Interactive learning experiences, such as lectures, discussions, and videos

Suitable for a wide range of audiences, including Shakespeare enthusiasts, actors, teachers, and students

Covers various aspects of Twelfth Night, including its language, characters, humor, and worldview

Provides a case study of how Twelfth Night has been re-interpreted in contemporary contexts

Includes optional full-length actor interviews for deeper engagement

Reviews summary

Shakespeare's twelfth night: profound impact

Learners say Twelfth Night is a great and well-designed course that provides new insights on the play. The course offers enlightening presentations, discussions with experts, unit tests, and projects. Students highly recommend this course to anyone interested in Shakespeare or Twelfth Night.

Faculty presentations are enlightening and accessible.

"The presentations were enlightening and accessible."

Course content provides new perspectives on the play.

"I will never view Shakespeare or Twelfth Night in the same way."

"This course added so much more depth and insight than I ever would have gleaned on my own."

Course includes interactive tests, discussions, and projects.

"The course was very well organized with interesting talks by actors, discussions by professors, unit tests and projects."

Learners highly recommend this course.

"A very worthwhile course."

"If Boulder were offering any other courses on Shakespeare's other plays I'd surely get it!"

Peer evaluations are not always provided on time.

"The course itself is great, however it fails on the activities where we need to evaluate colleagues and receive this evaluation. There is no evaluation available on time."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community with these activities:

Read a biography of William Shakespeare

Show steps

Gain insights into the life and times of the playwright, enriching your understanding of the historical and cultural context of Twelfth Night.

View The English Actor: From Medieval to Modern on Amazon

Show steps

Find a well-regarded biography of William Shakespeare.
Read the biography thoroughly, paying attention to Shakespeare's childhood, education, career, and personal life.
Consider how the historical and cultural context of Shakespeare's time influenced his writing.

Read and analyze Twelfth Night

Show steps

Engage with the play's text to build a solid foundation for course discussions and assignments.

Show steps

Read the play attentively, highlighting key passages and making notes.
Analyze the characters, plot, themes, and language of the play.
Consider the historical and cultural context of the play.
Prepare questions or insights to contribute to class discussions.

Explore online resources on Shakespearean comedy

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the genre and its conventions, which will aid in appreciating Twelfth Night's significance.

Show steps

Visit reputable websites or online databases specializing in Shakespearean studies.
Search for articles, essays, or videos discussing Shakespearean comedy.
Read or view the selected resources, taking notes on key concepts and insights.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Analyze Shakespearean language and imagery

Show steps

Develop proficiency in deciphering and interpreting Shakespeare's unique use of language, enhancing comprehension of the play's nuances.

Show steps

Select a passage from Twelfth Night and examine its diction, syntax, and imagery.
Identify and analyze literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and allusions.
Interpret the passage's meaning and significance within the context of the play.

Join a study group or discussion forum

Show steps

Engage with fellow students to exchange insights, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of the play's themes and characters.

Show steps

Reach out to classmates or join an existing study group or discussion forum focused on Twelfth Night.
Participate in discussions, share your perspectives, and ask for clarification.
Collaborate with others to develop a deeper understanding of the play's complexities.

Attend a live performance of Twelfth Night

Show steps

Witness the play brought to life on stage, enriching your understanding of character dynamics and the impact of live performance.

Show steps

Find a local theater or acting troupe that is staging Twelfth Night.
Purchase tickets and attend the performance.
Observe the actors' interpretations of the characters and the overall presentation of the play.
Reflect on your experience and how it enhances your appreciation of Twelfth Night.

Write a character analysis essay

Show steps

Demonstrate a deep understanding of a character's motivations, conflicts, and development, showcasing analytical and critical writing skills.

Browse courses on Character Analysis

Show steps

Choose a character from Twelfth Night and research their role in the play.
Analyze the character's actions, dialogue, and relationships with others.
Develop a thesis statement that presents your interpretation of the character.
Write an essay that supports your thesis with evidence from the play.
Proofread and revise your essay, ensuring clarity and coherence.

Tutor or assist other students in understanding Twelfth Night

Show steps

Solidify your grasp of the play while providing valuable support to fellow students, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Show steps

Identify opportunities to mentor or tutor other students who are studying Twelfth Night.
Prepare materials and resources to facilitate understanding of the play's key elements.
Meet with students regularly, providing guidance, answering questions, and encouraging discussion.
Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement in your mentoring skills.

Career center

Learners who complete William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

English Professor

English Professors teach and research English literature, language, and writing. A course like this may be of use for an English Professor who teaches courses on drama, literature, or Shakespeare specifically. The course takes a deep dive into one of Shakespeare's most famous works, Twelfth Night. Coursework includes interviews with actors, lectures by scholars, and interactive learning experiences that explore the play's language, humor, character development, and world view.

See salaries and explore the career path for English Professor

Playwright

Playwrights write plays and other dramatic works for theater, film, and television. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community may be of interest to a Playwright, as it offers opportunities to learn from and analyze one of the most famous playwrights in history. The course features interviews with actors, lectures by scholars, and interactive learning experiences that explore Shakespeare's writing style and the themes he explored in his work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Playwright

English Teacher

English Teachers are educators with an interest in literature, language, and writing. They teach middle school, high school, and college courses in language and literature. In such a role, a background in Shakespearean dramatic comedy like Twelfth Night would be very useful. The course offers a comprehensive view of themes in the play, including desire, conflict, and chaos. In addition, the course includes breakdowns of the work's language, its humor, and its historical context. Altogether, the course could help an English Teacher add new and interesting elements to their lesson plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for English Teacher

Actor

Actors portray characters in film, television, theater, and other performing arts media. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community would likely be of interest to an Actor, as it consists of interviews with actors and an in-depth examination of Shakespeare's work. By taking part in this course, an Actor can learn more about Shakespeare's language, motivations, and writing style.

See salaries and explore the career path for Actor

College Professor

College Professors teach and educate college students. A Professor typically holds an advanced degree in their respective field, such as a master's or PhD. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community is designed for scholars and theater professionals, but could also be of great use to College Professors who teach English courses. The course dives deep into the play's language, characters, humor, and world view. By taking the course, College Professors could expand their knowledge of Shakespeare's writing and enhance their lectures.

See salaries and explore the career path for College Professor

Poet

Poets write poems and other forms of verse. They may also edit, critique, and translate poems, as well as give lectures or readings of their work. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community is a deep dive into the work of one of the most famous poets in history. Coursework for this course includes a study of Shakespeare's language, his humor, and his world view. As a Poet, you are likely already familiar with Shakespeare's work, and this course may deepen your existing knowledge enough to influence your own poetic style.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poet

Producer

Producers plan and coordinate different aspects of television and film productions, working with directors, writers, actors, crew, and others to ensure that a project is completed. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community could be very helpful to a Producer, as it analyzes the works of a masterful storyteller and audience engager. The course examines how Shakespeare engaged with themes of comedy, conflict, and community, which are all relevant to film and television production.

See salaries and explore the career path for Producer

Artistic Director

An Artistic Director oversees the overall artistic vision of a performing arts organization, such as a theater company or dance company. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community may be of interest to an Artistic Director, as it explores the works of one of the most famous playwrights and poets in history. Coursework includes an in-depth examination of Shakespeare's language, humor, character development, and world view. This knowledge may inform an Artistic Director's choices on which works to produce and how to stage them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artistic Director

Screenwriter

Screenwriters write scripts for films, television shows, and other video media. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community may be of use to a Screenwriter, as it examines the work of a great writer across disciplines. Coursework includes breakdowns of his language, character development, humor, and world view. Altogether, this course could enhance a writer's skills in storytelling and audience engagement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Communications Specialist

A Communications Specialist is a professional who develops and executes communication strategies or campaigns to inform or persuade an audience on behalf of a client or an employer. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community could help a Communications Specialist better understand what makes effective writing. Moreover, the course explores how Shakespeare engaged his audience and community with his works. These topics are important because, as a Communications Specialist, you'll have to engage your audience to persuade them to a particular belief or action.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Specialist

Speechwriter

Speechwriters write speeches and other public address materials for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community could help a Speechwriter hone their skills in storytelling and audience engagement. The course explores how Shakespeare engaged with his audience and community, using humor, conflict, and other techniques to make his points.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Writer

Writers write creative or journalistic works, such as novels, short stories, poems, articles, and more. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community could help a Writer to enhance their storytelling and audience engagement skills. The course explores how Shakespeare engaged with his audience and community, using humor, conflict, and other techniques to make his points.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Editor

An Editor is responsible for overseeing the production of written content. This may include planning, fact-checking, copyediting, and proofreading. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community would likely be beneficial for an Editor, as it immerses the student in Shakespeare's language and writing style. Furthermore, the course explores how the author engaged with his audience and community. This type of study could inform an Editor's approach to their own written works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and publish news stories and other content for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. A course like Twelfth Night: Comedy, Conflict, and Community may be of some use to a Journalist, as it will help them to understand how to tell a story and engage with an audience. The course examines how Shakespeare engaged with themes of comedy, conflict, and community, which are relevant to writing news articles and other journalistic content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist