The Psychology of Tragedy (Foundation II)

3 credits

The tragic view of human existence has deep roots in our civilization which continue to influence our self-understanding to the present day. This course traces these throughlines from the great attic tragedians to Shakespeare all the way to 20th Century tragic dramatists. With the help of intensive readings of these distinguished playwrights, students will learn how tragedy both reflects and forms the psychologies and politics of different eras and communities. By completing this course of study, students will better understand how to situate their observations of the human condition and their resulting works of art in relation to this storied genre of literature and collective psychology.