ENGL 224(S) Tragedy and Dramatic Theory+
In this course we will explore the genre of tragedy as a theatrical form. Is it useful to compare the form and emotional effect of plays from such diverse historical periods as Sophocles' Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare's Macbeth? Or Racine's Phedre and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman? In what ways do tragic theorists like Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Northrop Frye agree and disagree on the constitutive elements of the tragedy? We will read-and when possible, view video performances of-several tragedies by authors such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes, Shakespeare, Racine, Ibsen, Sartre, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Samuel Beckett. In addition, we will probably include one or two screenings of films by such directors as Robert Bresson, Ingmar Berman, Michelangelo Antonioni, or Bernardo Bertolucci. We will discuss these works in the context of critical writings by theorists such as Aristotle, Nietzsche, Rapin, Frye, Bradley and Olson. Requirements: class participation, four essays varying in length from 2-3 pages to 6-8 pages, and several 250-word responses to questions for class discussion. Prerequisite: a 100-level English course, except 150 (formerly 103), or permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 19. (Criticism)