COLI 281CAncient Tragedy, Greece & Rome

Catalog

Today, the word "tragedy" conjures up images of disaster and suffering. In ancient Athens, tragedy above all meant entertainment for a mass audience. But what else was - and is - tragic drama? Is the suffering depicted by ancient Greek and Roman playwrights wholly foreign to modern sensibilities? Or does it offer something with which people today can identify? By studying ancient Mediterranean tragedy, and by comparing it to genres like satyr drama and comedy, not to mention comparison with modern plays, we will seek answers to those and other questions. In the process, we will deepen our understanding of an art form that boldly explores human existence at the extremes. To bring our focus of study alive, we will read a select group of texts - mostly dramas, but some theoretical readings, too - in English and English translation. Students will engage in structured, in-class discussion, participate in informal reading of scenes, and reflect on assignments via online journals. Quizzes, a midterm, and a final exam will round out the coursework. NOTE: Students that have taken AMS 215 will not receive credit for taking AMS 150.