Weimar Classicism in the Light of the Plays of Schiller and Goethe 4018-KONW124-OG

The proposed works highlight important issues of Weimar Classicism’s worldview and aesthetics, and the proposed authors today belong to the canon of world literature.
This is one of few courses designed for students of humanities faculties as well as German Studies students and anyone interested in learning about the German humanist tradition in European culture. The texts of Goethe and Schiller (including plays and aesthetic writings) constituted the educational canon of many Polish writers. Also today, familiarity with these works facilitates comparative studies on the 19th and 20th centuries. Classes are held in Polish, in the form of a seminar.
German language skills are a bonus but not essential. If possible, we will use German-language texts.
A detailed analysis of literary works will be the basis for formulating the elements that characterize the dramatic output (and related problems of aesthetics) of the two most famous German authors of Weimar Classicism:
1. J. W. Goethe: Götz von Berlichingen, Egmont, Tasso, The Natural Daughter, Faust I, Prometheus/Pandora.
2. F. Schiller: The Robbers, Intrigue and Love, Mary Stuart, The Maid of Orleans, The Bride of Messina.
3. The correspondence of Schiller and Goethe.

Type of course

general courses

Learning outcomes

1. Critical analysis of the proposed works of literature.
2. Identifying the formal structure (construction) and distinguishing the characteristic features of a given work.
3. Suggesting ideas for interpretation.
4. Reconstructing the historical and social context of the plays.
5. Identifying and characterizing the motifs, elements forming the model typical of the given work/writer, determining the degree to which the two playwrights overstepped/enriched tradition and the special qualities of their humanism.

Knowledge: increased erudition (facts and rules of conduct) regarding the reception of German literature (Weimar Classicism) and the problems of aesthetic output of the period, which was also invoked by Polish writers in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century.
Skills: changed learning style from passive to active, developed learning independence and interests, proficiency in hermeneutic treatment of texts.
Social competences: invoking Weimar Classicism supports the development of social maturity, assuming that European culture encompasses people’s shared existential experience and creates a universal platform of international understanding.

Criteria: active participation in discussions and their evaluation (degree of insight when analysing a work, suggesting ideas for interpretation, degree of their justifiability and originality, taking advantage of available literature, identifying the main or characteristic elements of the problem and formal structure of a given work, analysing their role in the work).

Assessment criteria

Methods: continuous assessment and final oral test (graded).

Bibliography

Marek Siemek: Fryderyk Schiller, Warszawa 1970.
F. Schiller: Dzieła wybrane (T. 1-3), red. Barbara Płaczkowska, Warszawa 1955.
J. W. Goethe: Dramaty wybrane, wybór S. Lichański, Warszawa 1984.
J. W. Goethe, Dzieła wybrane (T. 1 - 4), red. Anna Milska.
H. A Korff, Geist der Goethezeit, 5 Bde, Darmstadt 1977.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes: