Making fun of History: Insults, Mockery and Abuse Language in Antiquity

Catalog description

People have mocked one another for as long as there has been language with which to do it, but insults can be difficult to pin down: a word or phrase may seem mocking to one person and funny or friendly to another. Even praise can be insulting, in some situations. Context is key. In this course we will study abusive speech in the context of ancient Greece and Rome. Primary readings will range from Homer and Aristophanes to Plautus and Seneca, as well as vernacular sources such as ancient wall-graffiti and curse tablets. Throughout we will use modern sources such as film, music, and political speeches for comparison. We will also explore different sociological, anthropological, and linguistic models for understanding the social role of insult. Studying the slippery phenomenon of insult reveals a great deal about human communication, human nature, and the Classical tradition. No knowledge of Latin, Greek, or Linguistics is assumed or required for this course.