CLASSICAL COMEDY

Catalog description

(Cross-listed LANG 2130.) Pre-1700 Course. Reading and discussion of ancient comedies of different styles and periods. We will examine a few Greek plays by Aristophanes (high classical period, Ancient Comedy), one play by Menander (4th-3rd century BCE, New Comedy), and a number of Roman Comedies by Plautus and Terence. Classical comedies reflect as vividly as no other literary genre everyday life in the Ancient world. The plays of Aristophanes depict the people of Antiquity in bright colors against the background of historical events of the time. Menander's work turns more to private life at a time of rapid change in Athens. We will conclude the course with a number of Roman plays inhabited by a number of characters -- evil masters, sly slaves, innocent maidens, and young men hopelessly in love -- that set the standards for Renaissance and Modern comedy.