ANME 263 - Tragedy in the Polis

This course offers an introduction to the tragic dramatic performances of 5th century BCE Athens. Through a survey of textual evidence-the extant tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, as well as other testimonia-and material remains, we will familiarize ourselves with the literary and dramatic form of Greek tragic poetry and the circumstances of its performance. Through close reading of individual tragedies, we will identify what elements characterize and unite tragedy as a genre; analyze how tragedy makes use of myth (and, less often, history) to explore urgent questions about identity, difference and belonging, gender, power and obligation, death and loss, and survival; and consider the relationship of these texts and the questions they are concerned with to the historical, social, and political conditions under which they were performed. We will survey and evaluate approaches taken by critics, ancient and modern, to interpreting tragedy as literary texts, as civic religious ritual, and as performance. Time and interest permitting, we will consider how 5th-century BCE Athenian tragedy relates-or does not relate-to other tragic dramatic traditions, and modern uses and receptions of 5th-century BCE Athenian tragedies. All readings in English; no Greek or familiarity with Greek history required.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Cross-listing(s): LIT 253
Notes: All readings in English; no Greek or familiarity with Greek history required.
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).