Classical Myths in Culture

Timetable

Tuesday 13.30-15.00 Collegium Maius Fredry 10 room 328

Module aim (aims)

Effects of education – skills and competences: Student is able to: define and use listed concepts; understand reception and transformation (esp. Christianization) of chosen classical myths in early modern and modern culture; describe cultural history of chosen myths; compare using and meaning of myths in various works (literature, painting, theater, opera, film).

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge of Classical Mythology.

Syllabus

Week 1 Theoretical principles of mythography and reception studies
Week 2 Philosophical, social and cultural context of early modern and modern using of mythology. Christianization
Week 3 Myth and its reception I: Orpheus and Eurydice
Week 4 Myth and its reception II: Ulysses
Week 5 Myth and its reception III: Dido and Aeneas
Week 6 Myth and its reception IV: Apollo and Hyacinthus
Week 7 Myth and its reception V: Apollo and Daphne
Week 8 Myth and its reception VI: Oedipus
Week 9 Myth and its reception VII: Electra
Week 10 Myth and its reception VIII: Helen of Troy
Week 11 Myth and its reception IX: Lucretia
Week 12 Myth and its reception X: Ariadne on Naxos
Week 13 Myth and its reception XI: Iphigenia
Week 14 Myth and its reception XI: myths in Aristophanes’ Birds
Week 15 Myth and its reception XII: Conclusion and final remarks

Reading list

Robert A. Segal., Myth: Very Short Introduction, Oxford Univ. Press 2004.The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology, ed. Roger D. Woodard, Cambridge Univ. Press 2007 (chapters: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 16).H. David Brumble, Classical Myths and Legends in Middle Ages and Renaissance, Greenwood Press 1998 (selected entries).Information on where to find course materials: the library of Polish and Classical Philology Faculty (other information will be provided by teachers during classes).