ENGL 552-01 Seminar in Drama
Professor: Konkle
Meetings: Thursday 5:00-7:30pm
“The Tragic Vision” refers to more than just the genre of tragedy in theatre and drama; it is a way of looking at life, a worldview, a philosophical outlook most famously expressed in the great tragedies by the Greeks and Shakespeare but also manifested in modern plays. Though it could be argued that all literature and art imply a worldview, tragedy seems to more explicitly reflect on the meaning of life, addressing such timeless issues as why do we suffer? Is it due to fate (in one form or another) or our free will choices? Perhaps this is why great philosophers from Aristotle to Nietzsche have written treatises on tragedy; they try to answer the same questions as tragedy. Over the course of the semester we will read classical Greek, Shakespearean, and modern tragedies and major theories of tragedy to gain an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of tragedy and the tragic vision. In addition, we will read a novel and a few poems, view a film, and analyze rock/pop song lyrics to see if it is possible to convey the tragic vision in genres or art forms other than theatre.