SF-1183 Revenge
It has been said that revenge is a type of "wild justice" whether it is violent, quick, or subtle, stories of revenge provide us with a fascinating glimpse into the recesses of the human soul. At their core, they seek to uncover the carnal side of human nature and shine light on the dark impulses that can lie buried deep. In this course, we will explore whether revenge truly is a dish best served cold, or whether at the end of the day, the consequences of revenge outweigh sweet, sweet justice. Our investigation will center around several questions: Why does revenge as a trope continue to enthrall storytellers? What is the psychology of revenge? And how do these stories invite us to reflect on ethics and morality within our own world? We will examine famous revenge narratives from a wide range of genres (from literature, graphic novels, art, film, and music). Our journey will begin with the quintessential revenge story: Shakespeare's Hamlet. We will then move to other texts such as Edgar Allan Poe's "Cask of Amontillado," Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, Alan Moore's V for Vendetta, and the popular film The Princess Bride. This course will also include field trips to the MFA Boston during our week on art history, and a trip to Salem during our exploration of Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. Through reading, lively discussion, and multi-draft essays, our goal will be to develop and refine personal writing styles while also cultivating critical thinking skills.