European Theatre from Aeschylus to Beckett

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

From the fifth century BCE till the present day, the theatre in Europe has been an important site of artistic, political, and philosophical expression. This course will situate the great works of European theatre within their historical and aesthetic contexts to gain a clearer understanding of the relationship between the theatre and European history. Each week we will analyze one work which is representative of its time and place starting with Aeschylus in Ancient Greece and ending with the modernist masterpieces of Samuel Beckett in France. This course will progress chronologically and address major developments in European theatre from various national traditions treating them as texts and performances. We will read all texts in translation.