French Theatre
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce the specific elements of the theatrical text (list of characters and their characterization, scenic indications, construction of the plot, etc.), showing how these change over the centuries depending on the authors and types of drama.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: At the end of the course the student will know the essential lines of development of the history of French theater of the period covered and of the rules that dominate it. The analysis of these texts will also offer the opportunity for an exploration of the mechanisms of staging.
Skills: The student will acquire the ability to place in time the various authors of the history of French theater and the historical-cultural context in which they lived. He will have acquired the critical and methodological tools to face the reading of the various theatrical texts; will have developed skills related to the analysis of the dramatic text and the staging; will be able to use the basic terminology of theatrical studies and will be able to reflect on the mise en scène modalities of the works analyzed during the course.
Skills: The student will acquire the ability to place in time the various authors of the history of French theater and the historical-cultural context in which they lived. He will have acquired the critical and methodological tools to face the reading of the various theatrical texts; will have developed skills related to the analysis of the dramatic text and the staging; will be able to use the basic terminology of theatrical studies and will be able to reflect on the mise en scène modalities of the works analyzed during the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled: "Two great authors of the theater of the absurd: Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett" and consists of the following didactic parts that will be addressed in sequence:
A: The tragedy of language: Ionesco's first works
B: From Ionesco to Beckett
C: Two pieces by Beckett
A: The tragedy of language: Ionesco's first works
B: From Ionesco to Beckett
C: Two pieces by Beckett
Prerequisites for admission
The course takes place as follows: the reading of the theatrical texts will be done starting from the original French pieces, while the commentary will be in Italian. Students who do not know French can use texts in Italian translation or with the Italian text opposite. However, it should be noted that the Italian translations of all the texts in the program are available online in downloadable pdfs.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; reading and commenting on the works in the program, viewing and commenting on staging taken from the theatrical texts studied.
Teaching Resources
A: E. Ionesco, La cantatrice chauve
E. Ionesco, La Leçon
E, Ionesco, Les chaises
The Gallimard Folio Théâtre editions are recommended.
B: E. Ionesco, Rhinocéros; the Gallimard Folio Théâtre edition is recommended.
S. Beckett, En attendant Godot; the text of the Editions de Minuit is recommended.
C: S. Beckett, Fin de partie
S. Beckett, Oh les beaux jours
Also for these texts we recommend Les Editions de Minuit
All the above pieces are published in Italian by Einaudi.
Bibliographic indications:
M. Esslin, The theater of the absurd, Rome, Abete, 1975.
G. Serreau, Histoire du 'Nouveau Théâtre', Paris, Gallimard, 1966.
E Ionesco, Note e contronote, Turin, Einaudi, 1965 (only the parts concerning Ionesco's pieces studied).
A. Cascetta, The tragic and humor in the dramaturgy of Samuel Beckett, Florence, Le Lettere, 2000 (only up to p. 141).
Other bibliographical information will be provided during the course.
E. Ionesco, La Leçon
E, Ionesco, Les chaises
The Gallimard Folio Théâtre editions are recommended.
B: E. Ionesco, Rhinocéros; the Gallimard Folio Théâtre edition is recommended.
S. Beckett, En attendant Godot; the text of the Editions de Minuit is recommended.
C: S. Beckett, Fin de partie
S. Beckett, Oh les beaux jours
Also for these texts we recommend Les Editions de Minuit
All the above pieces are published in Italian by Einaudi.
Bibliographic indications:
M. Esslin, The theater of the absurd, Rome, Abete, 1975.
G. Serreau, Histoire du 'Nouveau Théâtre', Paris, Gallimard, 1966.
E Ionesco, Note e contronote, Turin, Einaudi, 1965 (only the parts concerning Ionesco's pieces studied).
A. Cascetta, The tragic and humor in the dramaturgy of Samuel Beckett, Florence, Le Lettere, 2000 (only up to p. 141).
Other bibliographical information will be provided during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions posed by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student and the analysis and commentary on one or more themes from the works in the program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the didactic parts on which the student is presented, and takes place in Italian. The interview aims to verify the knowledge of the texts read, the skill in the exposition, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the capacity for critical and personal reflection on the proposed topics. The final grade is expressed out of thirty, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination methods for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination methods for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/03 - FRENCH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/03 - FRENCH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/03 - FRENCH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours