English 192. Political Theatre and the Structure of Drama

Instructor: Elaine Scarry
Wednesday, 3:00-5:45 pm | Location: TBD
Enrollment: Limited to 18 students

The estranged, didactic, intellectual theatre of Brecht, and the ritualistic, emergency theatre of Artaud serve as reference points for a range of American, English, and Continental plays. The unique part played by "consent" in theatrical experience. Emphasis on the structural features of drama: establishing or violating the boundary between audience and stage; merging or separating actor and character; expanding or destroying language. Readings include Brecht, O'Neill, Artaud, Genet, Pirandello, and such earlier authors as Euripides and Shelley.

This course is a limited-enrollment seminar open to both undergraduate and graduate students, including PhD and MA students in any program.

This course satisfies the “1900-2000 Guided Elective" requirement for English concentrators and Secondary Field students.