Literature (Rhetoric Stage)

Service Description

Course Description This rhetoric-level course guides students through two masterpieces of the Western tradition: 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' (Brian Stone trans., Penguin Classics 2nd ed.) and Shakespeare’s 'The Merchant of Venice'. Students explore virtue, honour, justice, risk, mercy, and the demands of moral choice through close reading, seminar discussion, and classical rhetorical analysis. Emphasis is placed on interpreting symbolism, evaluating ethical dilemmas, tracing classical and Christian influences, and crafting persuasive written and oral arguments. By engaging these texts in their historical, literary, and philosophical contexts, students strengthen judgement, refine expression, and deepen their understanding of how great literature shapes the moral imagination. Prerequisites Students must have a strong foundation in literary studies, proficiency in critical thinking, and the ability to articulate reasoned interpretations. Prior engagement with the basics of literary analysis is essential for success at the rhetoric level. Required Materials Students must purchase 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' (Brian Stone translation, Penguin Classics 2nd ed.) and The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (Via Classica does not stock novels). Students also need an A4 exercise book for notes, a headset microphone, and access to Microsoft Teams and Microsoft OneNote for submitting work and joining live classes. Course Sessions The course commences in Term 1 on Monday, 2 February, with two one-hour sessions each week on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 AM (AEDT/AEST). The term will end on Wednesday, 1 April. Term 2 will resume on Monday, 20 April, and conclude on Wednesday, 24 June. There are no classes on March 9 and June 9. Instructor: Mrs Elizabeth Matheson