This introductory survey of sixteenth- through eighteenth-century British literature will explore how writers responded to immense social changes in an era of global exploration, religious conflict, and political revolution. Above all, the writers of this period questioned what gives one person or nation the right to govern other people and nations. As we read a range of works including William Shakespeare’s King Lear, John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, we will explore and evaluate multiple answers to this overarching question. By situating poetry, drama, and prose fiction in its social context, this class will explore the relationship between literature and history while also honing your analytical skills. Course requirements will include active class participation, two short papers, and a final exam.