On completion of this module, students should be able to:

• synthesize information about the social and theatrical context of Aristophanes’ plays;
• demonstrate critical understanding of Aristophanes’ plays as works of literature;
• contribute constructively to group discussion;
• answer questions on specific points in the prescribed plays;
• construct relevant and analytical essays.

Indicative Lecture List

1. The Festival of Dionysus in Athens
2. Introduction to Greek Comedy
3. Acharnians
4. Clouds
5. Wasps
6. Birds
7. Lysistrata
8. Women at the Thesmophoria
9. Frogs
10. Assemblywomen

Tutorials

There will be five tutorials in small groups, in alternate weeks starting in either Week 2 or Week 3.

Prescribed Texts

The prescribed text of the eleven plays is the translation by Alan Sommerstein and David Barrett (Penguin Classics, three volumes).

Indicative secondary reading

Bowie, A.M., Aristophanes: Myth, Ritual and Comedy (Cambridge, 1993).
Davidson, J.N., ‘Dover, Foucault and Greek homosexuality: penetration and the truth of sex’, Past and Present 170 (2001), 3–51
MacDowell, D.M., Aristophanes and Athens: An Introduction to the Plays (Oxford, 1995)
Revermann, M., Comic Business: Theatricality, Dramatic Technique, and Performance Contexts of Aristophanic Comedy (Oxford, 2006)
Robson, J., Aristophanes: An Introduction (London, 2009)
Silk, M.S., Aristophanes and the Definition of Comedy (Oxford, 2000)
Taaffe, L.K., Aristophanes and Women (London, 1993)
Wright, M., The Comedian as Critic: Greek Old Comedy and Poetics (London, 2012)

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Feedback on tutorial attendance and participation will be sent to students through Brightspace. Students may request feedback on the exam from the module co-ordinator.