Even though the London theatre was still dominated by melodrama and the so-called “well-made play” at the end of the 19th century, the fin de siecle generated a variety of challenging experiments in drama and theatre. It is not surprising that - in the context of the Irish Renaissance Movement - the playwrights associated with Dublin`s Abbey Theatre influenced English and European drama and theatre in a major way.
Seminar discussions will focus on Oscar Wilde`s reshaping of the comedy of manner and tragedy, G.B.Shaws` “new realism” in drama as well as the contribution of Irish playwrights, such as W.B. Yeats and John M. Synge, to 20th century drama.
Please bring your own copy of the following texts to our class:
Oscar Wilde, Salome (1894);
-----, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895);
- Mrs. Warren`s Profession (1893);
-----, Pygmalion (1912);
.B.Yeats, The Countess Cathleen (1899);
John M. Synge, The Playboy of the Western World (1907).
The Lektürekurs is designed as a close reading of additional texts. Even though it is only obligatory for MA Englit. students students of the MA Europlit are cordially invited. |