Greek Tragedy in Context: FL/EN 363

SYLLABUS, Spring 2002

3 credits, M, W 3:30-4:45 -- AD 328

C. Luschnig (AD 310a) -- luschnig@uidaho.edu -- Office hrs. 1:30 M, W

Links to Plays on the web and other readings:

Lectures and discussions of selected Greek Tragedies and one comedy (or two): The purpose of this course is to reach an understanding of the richness of Greek tragedy, to look at the plays as individual works, and to see them in their contexts as part of a literary tradition and as comments on fifth century B.C. E. society.

Textbooks in order of use:  See Links to Plays for on-line versions.

Luschnig, study guide, at the bookstore and on the web
Aeschylus, vol. 2 (Chicago series) [Persians, Seven]
Sophocles, Theban Plays (Penguin, Fagles tr.) [Antigone, Oedipus Tyrannus]
Euripides, vol. 5 (Chicago series) [Phoenissae and Bacchae; Electra]
Aristophanes, Frogs, Birds (Penguin, Arrowsmith’s translation)
Aeschylus, Oresteia (Penguin Fagles' translation)
Sophocles, vol. 2 (Chicago series) [Electra, Philoktetes]
Euripides, vol. 4 (Chicago series) [Iphigenia, Orestes]

Other readings on the web.

Attendance: students enrolled in the class are expected to attend the lectures and discussions and to turn in written work on time. Make-ups will not be given for quizzes but the lowest quiz grade(s) will be dropped. Attendance means being prepared, coming on time, and staying until the end of class.

Reading:

Read all plays assigned. Usually two sessions will be spent on each play. For the first session read the play; briefly outline it [in one sentence or less jot down who is in each episode and what it is about; what is the general subject of each choral song and vaguely how it relates to the action]. Try to confine your outlines to one page.

Note: these outlines may seem jejune at first, but this is an efficient way of seeing how a play is put together and of appreciating the point of the choral songs. In addition to the outline write down one question that occurs to you as you are reading.

For the second session, read the questions in your study guides, REREAD the play, and answer one or more of the questions in detail. This is best done as we go along, not at the last minute before your journal (see below) is collected. If you turn in the journals before spring break I can use them to advise you about a paper topic.

Performance: Working in teams of three to five, we will perform scenes from the plays. More later. The first will be a scene from the Agamemnon.

Writing:

Journals: keep a journal of your outlines, answers to the questions in the study guides, questions, and observations. These journals will be collected before midterm and near the end of the term. They will give you an opportunity to experiment in your writing; the work does not have to be formal or polished. Always answer one or more of the questions in the study guides. You may also want to write down what strikes you as you are rereading the play. You will find that rereading is the real reading: the first time you are reading to see what happens; the second time you can see better what the playwright is getting at. If you feel unsure about your journal you may hand in your first entries at any time and I will tell you what is good and what could be improved. Please do not mix your journal with your class notes.

Make a few of your entries somewhat more complete, polished, thoughtful than random notes. Include one entry on any three of the following:

--the role of the chorus [in a particular play]

--the use of myth [either how other myths referred to relate to the drama in question, or how the myth has been reworked in the drama]

--the divine element / role of the gods [in a play or author]

--violence on stage in word or action

--portrayal of time [kairos and chronos]

--Greek tragedy: another dimension [what difference it makes in your understanding to see a performance: for this you will have to see one of the video films of a Greek play that are available in the FL&L dept. "Screenings" will be arranged. Oedipus (two versions), Antigone, Oedipus at Colonus, Trojan Women (all in English), Iphigenia (in modern Greek with English subtitles), Medea (in classical Greek and in English) are available.

--a study guide for a play not on the syllabus or already in the study guides [outlines, questions]

The journal will count 100 points. A complete journal will include 1. one page outlines of the plays; 2. answers to one or more questions about each play including the three special entries (this is the important part).

Term Paper: Greek Tragedy in Context. Outside reading is required [see bibliographies in study guides; if you need help, please ask]. Choose one play or a group of plays and write a paper 7-10 pp. putting it/them in context [literary, social, political, historical, artistic, and/or dramaturgical]; see list of possible topics (100 points). Your journals will help you in choosing a topic.

--Quizzes [10 pts each] throughout the term usually at the beginning of the second day on any play (approx. 100 pts). These will be announced. The lowest score can be dropped.

--Midterm examination (100 pts)

--Instead of a final we will have a last class session at which we will hear each others term papers.

Order of Readings, lectures, discussions

M. 14 Jan. Introduction: the Greek tragic theatre (stg. 1-8) on-line lecture

For 16 Jan. Read Aeschylus, Persians (begin journal: think about one of the questions in the study guide and write a paragraph about it) (stg. 24-5)

W Lecture, discussion of Persians (take home quiz)

For 23 Jan. Read Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes (journal, quiz) (stg. 26-8)

W, M 23, 28 Jan. Discussion of Seven against Thebes (quiz, Mon.)

For 30 Jan. Read Sophocles, Antigone (quiz) Continue journal. (stg. 29-34)

W. M. (30 Jan, 4 Feb.) Discussion of Antigone

For 6 Feb. Read Sophocles, Oedipus the King (quiz) (stg. 35-7, 71)

W, M (6, 11 Feb.) Discussion of Oedipus the King (quiz Mon.)

For 13 Feb. Read Euripides, Phoenissae (quiz) (stg. 38) "I saw that his face looked just like mine"

W, W (Feb 13 and 20) Discussion of Euripides’ Phoenissae (quiz)

For 25 Feb. Read Euripides, Bacchae (stg. 39-40) "Cast your dancin’ spell my way, I promise to go under it."

M, W (25-27 Feb.) Discussion of Euripides’ Bacchae

March For 4 March Read Euripides, Alcestis (stg. 41-2)

M, W (4, 6 March) Discussion of Euripides’ Alcestis

M 11 March midterm test: will include short answers, recognition of quotations, essays on general topics for comparisons. You should be able to use Persians, Seven, Antigone, Oedipus, Phoenissae, Bacchae, and Alcestis.

JOURNALS DUE 11 March. I will try to help you with a topic for your term paper, based on interests shown in the journal or on the test.

For 13 March Read Aristophanes, Frogs (journal: optional)

W 13 March Reading and discussion of the Frogs

18-22 March Spring Break

For 25 March Read Agamemnon (First play of Oresteia) (stg. 50-53 and 62-4)

M, W (25, 27 March) Discussion of Agamemnon *Monday: turn in a card with your paper topic on it and a paragraph about how you will proceed (look over pp. 19-23: 5 points if on time). Quiz on Wed.

Aeschylus, Oresteia continued

For 1 April Read Choephoroe (Libation Bearers) and Eumenides

M, W Discussion of Choephoroe (Libation Bearers) and Eumenides quiz

For 8 April Read Sophocles, Electra

M, W (8-10 April) Discussion of Sophocles’ Electra quiz

For 15 April Read Euripides, Electra *Monday: turn in an outline of your paper/progress report.

M, W 15, 17 April Discussion of Euripides’ Electra

For 22 April Read Sophocles, Philoktetes (stg. 58-9)

M, W (22-24 April) Sophocles, Philoktetes

For 29 April Read Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis

M, W (29 April, 1 May) Iphigenia at Aulis

For 6 May Read Euripides’ Medea PAPERS DUE 6 May

M, W (6-8 May) Euripides’ Medea

Finals Week The class will meet for a final class session at the time scheduled for the examination. Journals will be returned. Bring study guide. Term papers will be read or summarized. Friday 17 May 3:30-5:30.

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