GM3133 Dark Tales. E.T.A. Hoffmann and German Romanticism

Convenor and tutor: Dr Anja Peters

Terms 1 and 2

Assessment:

Formative Piece (Commentary Exercise): 0%

·        Essay (2000-2500 words): 30%

·        Written Examination (2 hours): 70% 

Overview:

E.T.A. Hoffmann is widely regarded as the undisputed master of dark, frightening and often bizarre tales whose protagonists experience their worlds as inexplicable and frightening places that drive them to the brink of insanity. The human psyche here appears to be unstable and easily influenced by factors beyond the individual's conscious control. The self is perceived as divided into "day" and "night" sides and notions of a unified stable identity become questionable. In our analyses of Hoffmann's texts we will explore themes and motifs such as the doppelgänger, the significance of dreams, the blurring of boundaries between sanity and insanity, the artist's role in society and the uncanny. Furthermore, we will discuss the author's specific mode of writing and select critical approaches to Hoffmann. While focusing on Hoffmann we will also consider a range of poems/excerpts from other Romantic authors in order to gain a better understanding of the period.

Primary Reading:

German Editions of major works, including among others (all available from Reclam):

·       Das Fräulein von Scuderi

·       Der Goldene Topf

·       Die Bergwerke zu Falun

·       Des Vetters Eckfenster

·       Rat Krespel

English Editions:

·       Tales of Hoffmann (transl. R.J. Hollingdale), Pengiun 1982

·       The Golden Pot and Other Tales (transl. Ritchie Robertson ), OUP 2008