The Literature of Everyday Life

4 credits · Undergraduate

Classical literature is full of mythological plots involving gods and monsters, heroes and kings. Less prominent are the kind of plots we are used to from modern literature, especially novels: plots that revolve around fictional characters invented to look like people in the street. Although these latter forms of literature are distanced from the prestigious genres of epic and tragedy, they still constitute an important part of ancient literature. In this class we will not only read a variety of texts that aim to depict "everyday life" (including novels, satire, letters, comedy and more), but we will also consider the underlying principles of such literature. No knowledge of Greek or Latin required.