ENGL 31000 - Studies in Ancient Literature: Dangerous Women in Greek Drama

Institution:

Ithaca College

Subject:

English

Description:

In this class we'll read, study, and discuss a number of plays from the ancient world which feature interestingly "dangerous" female characters. Among the more readically dangerous women we'll meet will be Clutemnestra and Media. Our approach to the plays will combine literary and cultural analysis: we'll study the plays both as texts designed to be performed and as specific cultural "events" staged at a particular time and place, for a particular audience. By contextualizing the plays as fully as possible, we'll try to uncover what they meant to their original audiences -- 5th century B.S. Athenian (male) citizens -- while also confronting the central paradox of ancient Greek drama: Why one of history's most supremely "phallic" cultures -- a culture which exalted all things "male" and routinelyand rather ruthlessly devalued all things "female" -- was so thoroughly fascinated by theatrical representations of powerful, "dangerous" women. Prerequisite: one literature course. 3 credits.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.ithaca.edu

Phone Number:

(607) 274-3011

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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