Course Details

Office hours: by appointment after class or other times by zoom

For millennia, Aristotle’s definition of Tragedy as preserved in his treatise Poetics influenced theoreticians and literary artists. In Honors 210 B, we will reexamine this definition as part of his broader theory of mimetic art and his scientific approach to literature. Thereafter we will read plays, Classical and post-Classical, applying this definition as a way of critiquing it and perhaps coming to our own understanding of what “The Tragic” is not only on the stage but in life. The final project will involve the creation of a real or hypothetical dramatic project in which students incorporate their own reactions to Aristotle’s definition; that is, students will describe the “tragedy” that they would write in the wake of our readings and discussions. It is not necessary to write a play, but rather a description of the one that they might imagine producing.

I am still working out details of the course, but for now we will proceed as follows: After two sessions unpacking Poetics, we’ll read four ancient Greek plays (see schedule below) after which we’ll dedicate a class to reflecting on “The Tragic” seen in these plays. Then we will look at four post-Classical plays followed by a class dedicated to reflecting on “The Tragic” in these plays. In the first of two workshops, students will come to class with preliminary ideas about the tragedy they would write and discuss with each other in small groups in order to get productive feedback in preparation for a second workshop in the final week of class. In weeks 8 and 9 we will look at four new plays (not as yet determined) and Fellini’s film The Nights of Cabiria. This will be followed by our third reflection on “The Tragic” in these plays and the film. The hope is that these reflections will provide greater insight into a student’s personal take on the concept of “The Tragic.” In the final week, there will be the second workshop with students again meeting in class in small groups to move the final project forward for submission no later than Friday of Exam Week. During the last day of class there will be a general discussion about what was learned in the course.

There are no exams. Grades will be determined on the basis of participation in class (40%) and the final project (60%)