Madness & Identity

Course Description: Supernatural spirits, fractured psyches, obsession - Madness! Madness as a literary theme can be dated as far back as ancient Greece and continues to appear in a broad array of literary works through the modern era. What makes madness so tantalizing as a literary subject? Can madness be shrouded behind reason and cunning? Do representations of madness change over time? How do cultural experiences shape our perception of madness in human beings? Does madness originate from our inner-psyche or are there darker forces at hand? By focusing on madness and identity and the depths of the human mind, this course will explore major themes that appear within literary representations of madness and insanity through close analysis of novels, short stories, poems, and plays, focusing on mystery and suspense. Welcome to the dark side.