The Women of Greek Tragedy

3 units

This course examines the role of women in Athenian drama. Students will read English translations of the works of the three major tragedians -- Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides -- and their near contemporary, the comedian Aristophanes. Direct engagement with ancient texts will encourage students to develop their own interpretations of and written responses to the political, social, and ethical manipulation that these mythological women were compelled to endure and the subtle ways in which they appear to exercise power themselves. Selected scholarly articles and book chapters will help students to contextualize these ancient dramas in their culture of origin. Because such issues continue to preoccupy both sexes today, students will see how Greek tragedy addresses perennial historical and cultural concerns through the examination of adaptations of Greek tragedies ranging from Seneca in ancient Rome to Spike Lee's Chi-Raq and Luis Alfaro's Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles. The final research paper will encourage students to consider how a specific female character from antiquity is transformed for a modern dramatic audience.