»Poetry is when every line begins with a capital«. This ironic definition builds on the common conception that poems are texts to be read in motionless silence and to be worked out like a math problem. The German word for »poetry«, however, is »Lyrik« which is akin to »lyrics«, reflecting poetry's origin as something either sung or recited. The recitation of poetry typically took place in front of a group of listeners and viewers, and was often accompanied by vivid gestures and movements. In other words, poetry used to have much more in common with today's rap battles or music videos than with novels. The fact that Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, is a great reminder of this tradition.
In this course, we will not necessarily sing or rap (though you are welcome to do so, if you feel like it), but explore the performative dimension of German poems through group recitation and movement. The focus is on poems which evoke and mimic actual movements, closely connected to emotions:
the pacing of a tiger in a cage, the galloping of a horse through an eerie German forest, the soft rocking of a cradle, the trembling of two lovers as they are approaching each other…
Thus, we will come to see that poems invite us to re-enact their contents not just in our minds, but with our voices, addressing our breathing and heart-beat through features like meter, rhythm, enjambment, and rhyme. We will also learn to develop short performances in small groups, connecting the images in our minds triggered by the poems, with our own associations and the creative dynamics of the group.
Unlike in other German Play seminars, the focus will not be on developing a performance to be staged outside the department. Rather, we will focus on our experiments in the classroom and on our thoughts on these experiments, including the development of a short performance and its discussion in a paper at the end of the semester. However, if the majority of our group feels that we should also work towards a show to be enjoyed by friends and family members, this will be an option as well.
This course does not require any training as an actor, director, dancer, or athlete, nor any knowledge of German poetry. It does require some advanced understanding of German, and I will make sure that you understand every line of each poem (which you will prepare at home), providing you with explanatory notes and, in some cases, translations. I also promise that this will not be a math problem solving experience. The main prerequisites for this course are curiosity, creativity, love of experimentation, and the willingness to cooperate within various groups.
Please come to class with comfortable, durable clothing and be prepared to move around without shoes.
Texts will be handed out in class or posted on Moodle.