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The
comedians of ancient Athens and Rome were poets of elegance,
anger, obscenity, and morality. Despite these
often contradictory messages, their plays have stood
the test of time.
This surverys the comedies of Aristophanes, Menander,
Plautus and Terence from different perspectives and
contexts — historical, cultural, political, and
theatrical.
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In
addition, we shall augment our survey with the testimonies
of a tragedian, Euripides, some of whose plays walk the
line between comedy and tragedy. |
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| Students
of CC 223 will
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explore the content, scope, and structure of ancient comedy;
-- read comedy as vehicles for both humor and social commentary;
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discern how comedy operates as a genre; and
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compare the sensibilities of ancient and modern audiences.
Furthermore,
students will develop critical reading and thinking skills
through class discussion, performance, and written exercises. |
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Professor
Dan Curley |
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| Office: |
210
Ladd Hall |
| Hours: |
MW
1:30 - 2:30 p.m., and by appointment. |
| Telephone: |
518.580.5463 |
| email: |
dcurley@skidmore.edu |
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following books are available required (all volumes edited
by Slavitt and Bovie):
- Aristophanes
1 (Acharnians, Peace, Celebrating Ladies, Wealth).
- Aristophanes
2 (Wasps, Lysistrata, Frogs, Sexual Congress)
- Aristophanes
3 (Suits, Clouds, Birds).
- Menander
(Grouch, Desperately Seeking Justice, CLosely Cropped Locks,
et al.)
- Plautus:
The Comedies, Volume I
- Plautus:
The Comedies, Volume II
- Terence:
The Comedies
Texts
for our readings on Euripides (Ion, Cyclops) will
be provided. |
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| Class
participation (20%)
Class
participation involves more than just attendance.
Students must also keep up with the readings and assignments,
and participate actively during all sessions. Students
are also expected to come to class on time and to maintain
an environment that promotes the exchange of ideas.
The
class participation grade also includes the reflections
due before discussions of each play.
Examinations
(30% total, 15% each)
The
midterm exam, scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, will test
students' mastery of the authors, texts, themes, and motifs
explored to date. Expect further information about
two weeks before the exam.
The final examination will cover authors, texts, and themes
from after the midterm. The date of the final exam
is Friday, December 15, 2006, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Stagings
(20%)
The
class will be divided into small groups ("troupes"),
each of which will perform a scene from plays on our reading
list. The stagings will throughout the term.
Guidelines and requirements here.
Semester
project (30%)
As
a semester project students will rewrite The Wasps
by Aristophanes, updating the play for a 21st-century Skidmore
audience. Students will present the play in a lively
staged reading on an evening in December.
Guidelines
and requirements here.
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