Ancient Greece Theatre
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course develops the needed basic critical elements in order to evaluate in complete autonomy: 1. Authors, their staging and their works in the Ancient Greek theaters; 2. Iconographic presence of theatrical and mythical events in Greek-Roman art; 3. Ancient models elaboration in medieval, modern and contemporary art; 4. Ancient models elaboration in later centuries' literature, theater and music; 5.Contemporary directorial interpretations of ancient works; 6. Movies elaboration of Ancient models.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student reaches the needed basic critical elements in order to evaluate in complete autonomy: 1. poetry, philosophy and communication developments in the Greek world of the VII-II BC centuries;
2. Theater and entertainment developments in the Greek world of the VI-II BC centuries; 3. Developments and variations of the main mythical events of the Greek tradition; 4. Reuse of Greek mythical and theatrical models in later periods.
2. Theater and entertainment developments in the Greek world of the VI-II BC centuries; 3. Developments and variations of the main mythical events of the Greek tradition; 4. Reuse of Greek mythical and theatrical models in later periods.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Module A: "Dressing as a Supplicant" (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
This module includes an introductory section on the performance spaces and cultural context of Attic theatre, with emphasis on acting practices and the function of the chorus.
Primary texts:
-Aeschylus' "Eumenides": with a focus on staging challenges, Orestes' supplicant posture and proxemics, and the depiction of the temples of Delphi and Athens.
-Euripides' "The Suppliants", with a especially focus ton the costumes of the female suppliants.
Module B: "Dressing as a Woman" (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
Primary texts:
-Euripides' "Bacchae"
-Aristophanes' "Thesmophoriazusae"
This module investigates the theme of cross-dressing and gender disguise, focusing on the character of Dionysus in "Bacchae" and the Relative in "Thesmophoriazusae". Special attention will be paid to staging issues and interpretative solutions in modern performances.
Module C: "Dressing as a Beggar"(20 hours, 3 ECTS)
Primary texts:
-Sophocles' "Philoctetes"
-Aristophanes' "Acharnians "
This module explores the representation of poverty, suffering, and anti-heroism, focusing on mythic characters portrayed in their most vulnerable and fallible state. We will also examine costume choices, staging challenges, and contemporary interpretations.
This module includes an introductory section on the performance spaces and cultural context of Attic theatre, with emphasis on acting practices and the function of the chorus.
Primary texts:
-Aeschylus' "Eumenides": with a focus on staging challenges, Orestes' supplicant posture and proxemics, and the depiction of the temples of Delphi and Athens.
-Euripides' "The Suppliants", with a especially focus ton the costumes of the female suppliants.
Module B: "Dressing as a Woman" (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
Primary texts:
-Euripides' "Bacchae"
-Aristophanes' "Thesmophoriazusae"
This module investigates the theme of cross-dressing and gender disguise, focusing on the character of Dionysus in "Bacchae" and the Relative in "Thesmophoriazusae". Special attention will be paid to staging issues and interpretative solutions in modern performances.
Module C: "Dressing as a Beggar"(20 hours, 3 ECTS)
Primary texts:
-Sophocles' "Philoctetes"
-Aristophanes' "Acharnians "
This module explores the representation of poverty, suffering, and anti-heroism, focusing on mythic characters portrayed in their most vulnerable and fallible state. We will also examine costume choices, staging challenges, and contemporary interpretations.
Prerequisites for admission
Students are required to have the basic historical-cultural knowledge (high school level) of the VII-III centuries BC Mediterranean area. The knowledge of the Ancient Greek language is not required.
Teaching methods
The course aims to introduce students to the genres of Attic theater and its evolution over time. The teaching method involves lectures with readings and commentary on a selection of verses to be studied for the exam. Active participation will nonetheless be encouraged, even during lectures, through questions posed by the instructor. Students will also be encouraged to attend one or more theatrical performances currently staged in Milan.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral test consists of an interview on the program topics, aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the history of ancient Greek theater, as well as the fundamental lines of the historical, cultural and literary panorama of ancient Greece, necessary to correctly interpret the phenomenon of entertainment in the 5th-4th centuries B.C. Reading in translation of ancient texts in the bibliography is also required. Knowledge of the Greek language is not required.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/02 - GREEK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/02 - GREEK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/02 - GREEK LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
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