Metamorphoses – Myth and Modernity: Dr. Solvejg Nitzke (#SN3)

Format

Synchronous seminar, but asynchronous study also possible

Keywords

Literature and Cultural Studies, comparative literature, Work on Myth, myths and modernity, Metamorphoses

Description

It is impossible to imagine European culture without Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This epic poem still grips readers today (worldwide!), inspiring tales of transformation and forming a reference point for identity formation and collective understanding. What is especially interesting from a literature and cultural studies perspective is that, while Ovid’s poems are in no way the point of origin for European mythology, the form in which they appear at the beginning of recorded time means that Metamorphoses can and must be read as a ‘Work on Myth’ (Hans Blumenberg). We are not dealing with an original text here – in the case of most myths, these no longer exist – but rather adaptations that were highly topical in their time.

The seminar was devoted to sharpening students’ eye for this specific form as well as the context of Ovid’s almost encyclopedic variation on Greek/Roman mythology and identifying these in various historical adaptations of this text. In the seminar, we discussed Pyramus and Thisbe (better known as Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s adaptation), Daphne who transformed into a tree, the proud daughters of King Priam telling the story of Arachne’s weaving and Medea. The range of literature we analyzed helped us to combine the contemporary with the antique, bringing together modern and premodern texts to make their meanings clear and discover new interpretations.

Through a mix of videos (including a guest lecture), independent reading, guided essays, chat room and video discussions, the seminar allowed us to trace myths and make our own contribution to theoretical, historical and cultural work on myth.

All videos from this course are available on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxs1fOg9IzrM_zzo4YNcdQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

The seminar videos:

Contact

Dr. Solvejg Nitzke

Voting ID

#SN3