Artifice, from the ball gowns and the wigs that distort the natural contours of the body to the fictions adopted by courtiers currying favor with the queen, plays an undeniable role in the courts of Elizabeth of Russia and Catherine the Great as they are depicted in this week’s video.

Part 1: Your introduction should tell us who you are and what you are studying, as well as elucidate your goals and/or expectations for the class. What exactly do you want to achieve this term?  How is study of Great Works and humanities in your MA degree useful to you, and what insights have you gained so far in the program?

Part 2: Artifice, from the ball gowns and the wigs that distort the natural contours of the body to the fictions adopted by courtiers currying favor with the queen, plays an undeniable role in the courts of Elizabeth of Russia and Catherine the Great as they are depicted in this week’s video.

Using a specific quote from the video, analyze one aspect of artifice (from one or both courts) and open up the discussion with the class about its possible implications on leadership, relationships, the sense of self, or any area that strikes your fancy. You are welcome to bring different theoretical perspectives to bear in your posts.

(To post, select “start a new thread.” Do this for all your initial posts on the discussions.)

Catherine the Great, directed by Paul Burgess (Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), 2006), 113:22 mins.

It is on YouTube in four parts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRck0JRl33A (Part I)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up1td2HGYJg (Part II)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufd8QESd8EQ (Part III)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpz_vfih498  (Part IV)