Students in Professor Douglas Pfeiffer’s EGL 345 course “Shakespeare I,” a study of the comedies and plays, recently had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the physical world of early books, rare printings, and centuries-old literary traditions. During a visit to Special Collections, students worked directly with a curated selection of rare texts that illuminate the literary, cultural, and intellectual environments in which Shakespeare wrote. The session centered on collaborative, hands-on investigation. Working in teams of two, students analyzed, compared, and discussed the materials – an approach that fostered close reading, teamwork, and a richer sense of historical context. Many remarked how encountering these works as physical objects, rather than as digital facsimiles or classroom excerpts, transformed their understanding of both Shakespeare and the broader canon that shaped him.
Highlights from Special Collections
Ovid, Metamorphoseon (Venice, 1553). An early edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, one of Shakespeare’s most important sources. Encountering Ovid in this form helped students trace mythological references and transformations that echo through Shakespeare’s comedies and histories.
Geoffrey Chaucer, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer (circa 16th-century edition). With its dense blackletter type and richly layered language, this early printing of Chaucer gave students a glimpse into the English literary tradition preceding Shakespeare and the linguistic evolution that shaped early modern drama.
Shakespeare, William & Edward Ravenscroft. Titus Andronicus, or, The Rape of Lavinia: Acted at the Theatre Royall: A Tragedy. Printed by J. Bennet for J. Hindmarsh, at the Golden-Ball in Cornhill, over against the Royal-Exchange, 1687. This Restoration-era adaptation offered students a fascinating look at how Shakespeare’s tragedy was reshaped for 17th-century audiences. Ravenscroft’s version, known for its significant alterations and added scenes, helped students explore how changing political climates and theatrical tastes influenced the reception and reinvention of Shakespeare’s works long after his lifetime.
Shakespeare, W., E. Malone, S. Johnson, et al. The Plays and Poems of William Shakspeare [sic]. 10 vols. Printed by H. Baldwin for multiple booksellers, 1790. This is one of the most influential scholarly editions of Shakespeare produced in the eighteenth century. Edited chiefly by Edmond Malone – with contributions from Samuel Johnson and other prominent commentators – this monumental ten-volume set sought to establish the most accurate text of Shakespeare’s works then possible. Malone collated the plays “verbatim with the most authentick copies,” incorporating extensive notes, critical commentary, and contextual essays.
Swift, Jonathan. On Poetry: A Rapsody. [Ornament]. Sold by J. Huggonson, next to Kent’s Coffee-house, near Serjeant’s-Inn in Chancery-Lane; and at the booksellers’ and pamphlet-shops, 1733. This sharp, satirical poem provided students with a later 18th-century perspective on literary culture, prompting discussion about shifting attitudes toward poetry, criticism, and authorship. Its presence in the session encouraged students to consider how later writers engaged with and sometimes mocked the traditions inherited from Shakespeare’s era.
Kristen Nyitray
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