Topics in Western Drama: Transgression and Tragedy
From Aeschylus to Shange

An investigation of Western drama through close study of major representative plays. Evolving notions of the dramatic event, from classical to modern and "post-modern" theaters, will be examined in relation to developing ideas of heroism, destiny, social structure, linguistic power, and theatricality itself. Emphasis will be placed on both thematic and structural problems of "play" and on the relation of the text to consequences of performance (e.g., acting, stagecraft, and audience response). In addition, we will read theoretical and cultural reflections on theater and the "performative" by such writers as Plato, Aristotle, Pico, Gosson, d'Aubignac, Nietzsche, and Foucault.

Works studied will include:

Aeschylus, Oresteia
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus
Euripides, The Bacchae
Marlowe, Doctor Faustus
Shakespeare, Macbeth
Racine, Phèdre
Büchner, Danton’s Death
Beckett, Waiting for Godot
Shange, For Colored Girls

Assignments: short paper; director’s notebook; final paper.

Class Participation: Required.

Occasional Performance Scenework: Delightedly encouraged.