Classical Theatre: Tragedy & Comedy

Timetable

Every Monday at 1.30 p.m (13.30) Collegium Maius, Fredry Street 10, room 328

Enter Collegium Maius through the main entrance, in the hall turn right, go straight ahead to the end of the corridor, turn left and go to the glass door on your left – there is a lift - take it to the 3rd floor. On the left there is a glass door with the name INSTYTUT FILOLOGII KLASYCZNEJ. Enter and turn left. Go to the end of the corridor. Room 328 is there.

Module aim (aims)

- to gain knowledge of origins and development ancient theatre and ancient drama;
- to gain knowledge of the typological classification, political and social influences on the theatre and drama, differences between playwrights and their source;
- to develop the ability of interpretation of the most important plays by the prominent playwrights;
- to develop research skills in the field of diverse levels of intertextual relationships: persons, genres, motifs, and selected problems.

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

- general familiarity with mythology and ancient history.

Syllabus

Week 1 Ancient theatre – an introduction
Basic information about the scene, set, costumes, masks, props etc.

Week 2 A citizen as a playwright
Ancient literature in English translation: Aeschylus Oresteia

Week 3 Perfection in drama
Ancient literature in English translation: Sophocles Oedipus Tyrannus

Week 4 A power of law
Ancient literature in English translation: Sophocles Antigone

Week 5 Women in love
Ancient literature in English translation: Euripides Medea

Week 6 The boundary of propriety and good taste
Ancient literature in English translation: Euripides Hippolytus

Week 7 Roman remake
Ancient literature in English translation: Seneca Phaedra

Week 8 What is allowed in democracy ?
Ancient literature in English translation: Aristophanes Frogs & Clouds

Week 9 Greek utopia – government of women
Ancient literature in English translation: Aristophanes Lysistrata

Week 10 Safe humor
Ancient literature in English translation: Menander The Girl from Samos

Week 11 Roman catalogue of masks
Ancient literature in English translation: Plautus The Soldier Warrior

Week 12 Comedy of avarice
Ancient literature in English translation: Plautus Pot of Gold

Week 13 A romantic love story with a happy end
Ancient literature in English translation: Terence The Girl from Andros

Week 14 Problem of education
Ancient literature in English translation: Terence The Brothers

Week 15 Final test

Reading list

Translations of ancient texts and secondary sources selected by the teaching staff.

The course will focus on works (read in English translations) of selected playwrights (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Seneca, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence) and their analysis and interpretation. The aim of the course is to show masterpieces of ancient tragedy and their impact on the development of culture.