Bloody Women: Representation of Female Figures from Ancient Greek Theatre in British Culture

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The ancient Greeks have been acknowledged for their important contribution to many aspects of contemporary life. Notably for this course, the theatre of Ancient Athens and the plays that originated there have internationally provided inspiration for numerous playwrights, writers and artists throughout time. This class will hone in on the impact that these plays have had on British culture, particularly in response to the female characters. Following the abolishment of theatre censorship in 1968 and introduction of the 1969 Divorce Act, one can see a significant shift in approach to these figures, for example, the portrayal of Medea moves away from a witch-like figure representation and becomes more vulnerable on stage and screen. This class will discuss, in detail, the leading female figures in five Athenian tragedies, and compare them to their contemporary adaptations in British art, film, literature, television and theatre. Students will delve into how the characters are reshaped for a late 20th and early 21st Century audience, taking into consideration contemporary events; the changing role of women in society; the adapter's own experiences; and the changing opportunities to connect with an audience. A key component of the course will be class visits to engage with materials key to the development of these creative outputs, and talks which will give students an enhanced experience of the subject. This class will involve the discussion of sensitive and potentially triggering themes and situations, such as rape, murder, abuse and incest.