Greek Tragedy
- Course Code
- CLAS 0040
- Course Type
- Tutorials
- Subject Credit
- Course Availability
Greek tragedy is a genre that exemplified the artistic achievement of Athenian democracy in in the fifth century BCE, from the victory over the Persians at Marathon to the Peloponnesian War. The plays were performed to the citizens of this radical democracy and engaged with themes which were at the heart of the state. However, they went beyond politics to address fundamental questions about ethics, religion, and the gods. In the Frogs Aristophanes makes fun of Aeschylus and Euripides, but he makes a serious point, too: it is through watching plays and thinking about them that men become better citizens.
Texts:
Aeschylus, The Oresteia
Sophocles, Oedipus the King, Antigone
Euripides, Medea, Electra
Aristophanes, Frogs
Sample topics:
- The theme of justice in the Oresteia
- Mortals and gods in the plays of Euripides
- The role of the chorus in Greek tragedy
- The theme of leadership in Greek tragedy
- Women in the family and state
- The individual, family and the state
- The mythical past and fifth-century Athens
- The audience’s expectations of tragedy in the Frogs
There is no language requirement for this tutorial: all texts are taught in English translation. However, if you do have the relevant language skills then it can be taught through the original texts: contact the Senior Tutor to discuss this.