LC180 - HISTORY OF BRITISH THEATRE

Title: "Leadership and the Rhetoric of Success: Shakespeare, Power and Forms of Language"
This course unit is focussed on the close reading of three plays whose main topics are leadership, power and the use of language that is linked to them. The three plays (a tragedy, a roman play and a history) have become versatile texts as they suggest reflections on the above topics beyond literary interests. They have become handbooks for leadership in business and politics which turn to art more and more frequently: the artist's skills -- creativity, flexibility, fantasy, adaptation, communication and vision are considered as necessary skills for successful managers and leaders. Shakespeare is the privileged source for professionals who work in the field of management and leadership qualifications. 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 values 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. Moreover, all the three plays offer rhetorical strategies aimed at achieving goals; thus, this course unit will develop the ideas of vision, mission and strategies to have success.