Early Modern Selves: From Soliloquy to Self-Portrait

We will study the early modern self through its manifestation in the soliloquy (Shakespeare), philosophical treatise (Descartes), early modern poetry, and self-portraiture (Rembrandt). After examining Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech and other Shakespearean soliloquies as moments in which characters represent themselves in speech, we will turn to Descartes' view of man’s essence as his thinking nature. We will then read metaphysical poetry to understand the influence of religion on the early modern self. Readings include Hamlet, Richard II and III, Taming of the Shrew, Discourse on Method, Meditations, and poetry by John Donne.