Studies in World Literature (301-0-1)

Topic

Greek and Roman Drama

Instructors

Marianne I Hopman
847/491-8361
Kresge Hall 4361
Office Hours: Tu/Th from 3:30-4:30pm

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G30: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Comp_Lit 301-0-1/CLA 340-0-1: Athenian Tragedy, Then and Now, Greek and Roman Drama

The scripts and fragments from plays produced in fifth-century BCE Athens in honor of Dionysos, god of wine and theater, are among the most enduring and powerful legacies of ancient Greek culture. Since their rediscovery in the early modern period, directors, translators, and adapters have repeatedly turned to the poetry of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides to reflect on political, ethical, social, and theological issues of their time. Most recently, the plays have proved fertile ground for directors eager to imagine alternative ways of thinking about race, gender, and class. We will read a selection of Athenian tragedies, with special emphasis on their form, ancient performance context, and themes, as well as select examples of contemporary adaptations for diverse audiences. All readings will be in translation, and students will be encouraged to work in groups to perform and develop creative responses to individual scenes.

Class Materials (Required)

Taplin, O., transl. 2018. Aeschylus, The Oresteia: Agamemnon, Women at the Graveside, Orestes in Athens. New York and London: W.W. Norton. 978-0393923285
Sommerstein, A., transl. 2010. Aeschylus, The Persians and Other Plays. Penguin Classics. 978-0140449990.
Meineck, P., trans. 2003. Sophocles: Theban plays. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. 978-0872205857
Meineck, P., trans. Sophocles: Four tragedies. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett. 978-0872207639
Morwood, James, ed. and trans. 2000. Euripides: Bacchae and other plays. Oxford World's Classics. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. 978-0199540525
Morwood, James, ed. and trans. 2008b. Euripides: Medea and other plays. Oxford World's Classics. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. 978-0199537969
Powers, Melinda. 2020. Reclaiming Greek Drama for Diverse Audiences. Routledge.‎ 978-1138601024

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area