Greek Tragedy

An investigation of many of the surviving plays of the Greek tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Considers the diverse aspects of ancient drama: the context, both religious and sociopolitical; issues of theatrical production, the poetic texture of the plays; and the influence of classical drama on later drama and western thought. Additional readings may include Aristophanes' Frogs and Thesmophoriazusae and selections from Aristotle's Poetics , the earliest criticism of Greek tragedy.