Renowned as an Absurdist and existentialist, Samuel Beckett is largely perceived as an overly-intellectual writer whose work endlessly reiterates the meaninglessness of existence. Yet, such views not only overlook the great humour of the Beckett canon, but, more importantly, obscure how the very quest for meaning which permeates his work reimagines the fundamentals of literature and drama. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the innovative ways in which Beckett challenges the traditions of western literature and theatre. In tracing the development of the Beckett oeuvre, the course examines the pre- and post-war fiction, the dramas from the 1950s which established his international reputation, the daringly experimental theatre from the 1960s and 1970s, and the haunting lyricism of the late prose. In addition, the course will explore the fascinating life of one of the twentieth century’s most influential writers and examine the ways in which the abstraction of his work remembers specific historical and personal experiences. A key concern in this regard is how the Beckett’s work registers Irish socio-political contexts, most especially the Ireland of the post-independence era in which Beckett came to maturity. In this way, the course aims to provide students with an intimate portrait of the man and the artist and the ways in which his drama and fiction continue to inspire and influence readers, audiences, and artists around the world.

Dates	Schedule	Time	Venue/Location	Fee €
03 May 2016 to 24 May 2016	Sessions: 4 4 Tuesdays, 10.00am-12.30pm, May 3, 10, 17, 24	10:00	National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2	100.00