Teaching code

4S001380

Teacher

Paolo Scattolin

Coordinator

Paolo Scattolin

Credits

6

Also offered in courses:

• Greek literature - MODULO 2 of the course Bachelor's degree in Philosophy

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-FIL-LET/02 - GREEK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Period

CuCi 2 A, CuCi 2 B

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course is conceived as the second phase in the study of Greek Literature, both in its diachronic development and in its variety of genres. By providing Students with texts to read in the original Greek language and to comment upon (with a few additional texts in translation), the course will require them to acquire knowledge on aspects of literary history, metre, and language, as well as on genre-specific characteristics. At the end of the course Students will - have acquired a familiarity with further textual typologies of Greek Literature; - have an adequate knowledge of the history and development of Greek Literature from the Classical period onwards, as well as of its authors; - be able to place, in terms both of chronology and literary history, metre, and language, the texts under scrutiny; - be able to introduce and explain in their own words and with appropriate language the texts that the course focuses on; - be able to translate and comment upon both the texts analyzed in class and others forming part of the programme.

Prerequisites and basic notions

College-level knowledge of ancient Greek is required.

Program

THE TRIAL MANIA AND THE DESEASE OF DEMAGOGUERY: ARISTOPHANES' 'WASPS'.
The module aims to study the evolution of the comic genre in fifth-century BCE Athens from its obscure popular origins and with regard to the dramaturgical forms, language, meter and social function of the genre.
Aristophanes' 'Wasps' (422 B.C.) was chosen as this year's reading: after the disappointing reception of 'Clouds' the year before, Aristophanes returns to the theme that had assured him great success in the dramatic contests of the years 427-424: the struggle against the demagogues and warmongers who subjugate Athens' interest to their own. The poet returns to criticize Cleon, the hated leader of the democratic faction attacked in the 'Knights,' but this time he focuses on the demagogues' ability to exploit the popular courts to their advantage by circumventing Athenians eager to participate as jurors paid by the polis.
The critical text of the play will be the OCT text edited by Nigel Wilson (Oxford 2007, vol. 1). All teaching materials will be provided by the lecturer on the Moodle platform.
It is recommended to purchase a paperback edition of 'Wasps' with translation.
Students will also study the chapters on the history of comedy in the textbook edited by Giuseppe Mastromarco and Pietro Totaro (see Leganto bibliography).

Bibliography

Didactic methods

(1) teaching will be delivered in-presence; (2) non-attending students must agree on an alternative program.

Learning assessment procedures

The examination is oral for attending and non-attending students and includes (a) translation of one or more excerpts from the texts covered in class; (b) commentary on the same passages from a literary-historical, linguistic, metrical point of view; (c) one question on the contents of the handbook by Giuseppe Mastromarco and Pietro Totaro.
The duration of the oral examination is approximately one hour.

Evaluation criteria

The examination will aim to assess:
(1) the ability to translate the texts on the syllabus;
(2) awareness of the translation choices adopted and the linguistic-stylistic specificities of the texts;
(3) the ability to reflect critically on these texts within the framework of the literary genre of reference;
(4) knowledge of the history of Greek comedy from the classical to the Hellenistic period.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

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Exam language

italiano (eventualmente inglese per gli Erasmus)