AESCHYLUS, ORESTEIA
GK 365 (#28255): TT 9:30-11 in WAG 112
Office hours: WAG 200B TT 12-1
This course will study the Oresteia, Aeschylus’ majestic drama about the house of Atreus, the only surviving trilogy from the Attic stage, and one of the great monuments of world literature. We’ll read the entire trilogy in translation and substantial parts of all three plays in their native Greek (about two thirds of roughly 3800 lines): mainly the Agamemnon but also some of the Choephori and as much of the Eumenides as the Furies permit. Along the way we’ll also explore some larger questions about the plays and their literary form:
Genre: What is Attic tragedy? How is it related to epic and comedy? What were the resources and conventions of fifth-century Attic drama? How does Aeschylus exploit and develop these?
Language: distinctive features of tragic meter and diction and of Aeschylean style.
Politics and religion: What role did tragedy play in Athenian life? Why did gruesome tales like these fascinate Athenian audiences -- and many others since? What if anything did Aeschylus mean to teach his audience -- about the gods, or society, or personal ideals and responsibilities?
The course has two main aims:
1) to develop facility in reading Greek poetry. Aeschylean poetry is challenging (aka difficult); but it is vivid and powerful, and well worth the effort. It is also much less difficult when read with learned guides and stalwart companions (aka teachers & classmates).
2) to develop an appreciation for the form and nature of Greek tragedy, mainly but not solely in its Aeschylean incarnation.
Classes will be devoted mainly to translating the Greek text, and discussion will focus on problems of interpretation, both grammatical and literary.
Written assignments will include some exercises and quizzes on grammar and translation, a commentary on a passage in one of the plays, and a final exam covering both translation and problems of interpretation. Final grades will be assigned as follows:
exercises and tests: 30%
commentary: 30%
final exam: 30%
preparation and participation: 10%
Texts
Aeschylus, Tragoediae, ed. D. Page (Oxford)
Aeschylus: Choephori, ed. A. Garvie (Oxford)
Aeschylus: Eumenides, ed. A. Sommerstein (Cambridge)
Any translation of the Oresteia: it will be instructive for us to use some different versions.
Policies
Attendance
is essential. We have 30 classes. You’re free to miss 2 without excuse or
penalty. But for each additional absence 2% will be deducted from your course average,
unless you provide a legitimate excuse, such as illness (documented) or religious
holiday (advance notice, please).
Late work is penalized 4% per day unless you have a legitimate excuse.
Academic Integrity: Written work must be your own. Any cheating or plagiarism is unfair to everyone and will receive no credit. If you’re unclear what this means, consult me or UT Student Judicial Services: http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/
Disabilities: UT provides upon request appropriate academic arrangements for qualified students with disabilities. For information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 or 471-4641, or http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/ssd/