107-404 Myth and Mythmaking in Euripidean Drama

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in classics or classical studies and archaeology.

In this subject, students will read all nineteen surviving plays of the 5th century BCE Athenian playwright, Euripides, in English translation. The subject introduces students to methods of interpreting Greek tragedy, in particular how Euripides uses Greek mythology to explore social issues relevant to his time. By invoking commonly known myths, reinterpreting them, and sometime re-inventing them, Euripides' plays continue to resonate with modern audiences on issues of war and slavery, democracy and power, and especially ideologies of gender and the place of women in society. Students will be introduced to current methodologies of Euripidean scholarship, including feminism, queer theory, structural linguistics, Jungian psychology, alterity, metatheatre, and theories of ancient drama in modern performance.

• students should: be able to explain modern theoretical approaches to the study of ancient theatre, both as texts and in performance;

• develop their ability to think creatively and to express their ideas clearly in written form and orally.

Two oral reports equivalent to 1000 words 20% (due during the semester), two class papers totalling 1000 words 20% (due during the semester), weekly participation in on-line discussion, equivalent to 1000 words 20% (due during the semester), and a final essay of 2000 words 40% (due in the examination period).

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester.

• D Grene & R Lattimore, The Complete Greek Tragedies: Euripides. Vols 1-5 edition.