THEA5290 - Classical Drama and Theatre, Fall 2007
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Abstract
The purpose of this class is to review and analyze the nature and function of ancient Greek and Roman drama in its theatrical, historical and social context. We will discuss all the major dramatists from classical antiquity whose works are preserved entire and, as time permits, glance at the fragmentary remains of their and other less well attested authors' drama. Through all of this, our goal will be to reconstruct as fully as possible the evolution of ancient play-making. We will focus especially on how the microcosm of theatre in antiquity fed and fed off of the larger political, philosophical and economic communities around it. All in all, we aim to integrate, as broadly as possible, the picture we receive of classical drama and theatre into that of ancient history, society and thought.