Università Roma Tre

Greek literature: a historical sketch. The rhapsode’s art in Plato’s Ion.
The course is divided in two parts: (1) a sketch of the history of ancient Greek literature from the origins to the Roman age, with a survey of the main authors and genres; (2) a reading of Plato’s Ion, a text which offers a crucial standpoint on rhapsodic techniques in the fifth century BCE and their evaluation in contemporary intellectual circles.

Students will integrate the subjects covered in the classes with a handbook of Greek literature (inclusive of a selection of key passages). Any edition of Plato’s Ion will do, provided that it includes the Greek text. Suggested reading: A. B. Lord, The Singer of Tales (Harvard University Press: Cambridge [MA]-London 1960)].

UNIT TITLE (number of hours; number of ECTS)
Euripides’ Medea. The Tragedy of eros. 36 hours, 6 ECTS

EXAMINATION TYPE (oral / written)
The type of examination is oral and evaluates:
1) the mastery of the subject
2) the ability in translating ancient Greek texts
3) the critical capacities and the skills in identifying and formulating problems

PRELIMINARY KNOWLEDGE
It is important that students attend as many classes as possible.
Preliminary knowledgle of Ancient Greek language is required.

SEMESTER
First semester

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will focus on Euripides’ Medea, one of the most important tragedies in classical antiquity, considering both the characteristics of Euripides’ revolutionary staging in the context of 5th century Athenian tragedy and the role of this drama within the Euripidean corpus. The aim of this course is to provide a deep understanding of Medea, including its dramaturgical value and literary meaning.


BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) The student can choose one of the two following introductory works:
M. Di Marco, La tragedia greca, Carocci 2000
V. Di Benedetto- E. Medda, La tragedia sulla scena, Torino 1997

2) Medea nella Letteratura e nell’arte a c. di B. Gentili e F. Perusino, Venezia 2000

E-MAIL
adeleteresa.cozzoli@uniroma3.it

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) The student can choose an Euripides' Medea edition with Greek text and translation and one of the two following introductory works:
M. Di Marco, La tragedia greca, Carocci 2000
V. Di Benedetto- E. Medda, La tragedia sulla scena, Torino 1997