Shakespeare's "Coriolanus": An Evening Seminar

Join Zephyr this Spring Quarter for a series of evening readings and discussions on Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, led by Ben Gee (PhD Candidate, Department of English).

Set in the semi-mythical legendary past of ancient Rome, Coriolanus’s tragic arc gives Shakespeare the opportunity to explore artistically the universal conflicts of loyalty, interest, and inclination that beset political communities. At first a war hero, celebrated for leading the Romans to victory over their enemies, the neighboring Volscians, Coriolanus soon alienates the affections of the people and finds himself banished from the city. Smarting from his exile, he makes a fateful choice: to turn to his erstwhile enemies, the Volscians, and lead them in a march against his own country.

Meetings will be held biweekly in Spring Quarter on Thursdays, 6:00–8:00pm. Each meeting will cover one act. Free copies of the play will be made available upon request to participants.

Dinner will be provided to participants. Please RSVP so that Zephyr can have an accurate headcount.

For our first meeting, on 4 April, we will read Act I together as we discuss it. (There is, therefore, no need to read in advance—though those who have time are encouraged to do so.)

Questions about this event can be directed to Landon Hobbs (lhobbs@zephyr.org).

About the speaker

Ben Gee is PhD Candidate in English at Stanford University. His interests center on issues of contested reception for works of drama from the Protestant Reformation through the Restoration. His research focuses on the history of criticism and investigates material artifacts of informal dramatic criticism. He is also interested in the interdisciplinary connections of theology and music, having previously studied poetic and liturgical forms within nineteenth-century Austro-German symphonism at Yale's Institute of Sacred Music.

Eligibility

This evening seminar is open to all Stanford students and young professionals (35 and under).