Greek literature includes some of the greatest masterpieces of poetry and thought of all time. In the training of a European citizen, this knowledge plays an essential role because it fosters a critical understanding of the main problems of man.
The teaching of Greek literature aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the literary civilization of ancient Greece, in its historical evolution from its origins to the sixth century. AD. This will be carries out through the reading of a selection of texts in the original language, and to refine the skills of interpretation and rendering in the modern language of the literary texts of ancient Greece.
To provide an advanced knowledge of the history of ancient Greek literature and to have some particularly significant texts read in the original language. Students are expected to acquire a sufficiently broad and in-depth critical knowledge of the various aspects of ancient Greek literature, broadening in quantity and quality the knowledge acquired in the three-year course in the same discipline.At the end of the course, students should be able to know and describe the most relevant figures and genres of the literary civilisation of ancient Greece, with adequate awareness of their value and historical and cultural significance for the development of modern civilisation. They should also be able to read the works of major authors in their original language.
A good knowledge of ancient Greek language and of the history of Greek literature, based on what was learned in the previous three-year course.
Lectures. Possible in-progress tests if deemed necessary.
Students unable to attend the lecture are invited to contact the lecturer well in advance in order to arrange an alternative programme.
Heroism and Suicide: Sophocles' 'Ajax'.
In addition to the monographic course, students are required to prepare a textbook of Greek literature as well as some specific texts indicated below under 'Texts/Bibliography'.
Students unable to attend the course are invited to contact the lecturer well in advance in order to agree on an alternative programme.
In addition to the monographic course and the handbook (to be chosen from the commercially available editions of: D. Del Corno, Greek Literature, Milan, Principate, 1988; L. E. Reds, Greek Literature, Firenze, The Monnier, 1995; G. A. Privitera - R. Pretagostini, History and Forms of the Greek Literature, I-II, Turin, Einaudi School, 1997; A. Leek - W. Lapini, Greek Literature, Bologna, The Mill, 2017), students should present:
(1) Sophocles, Ajax: to be prepared on: Sophocles. Ajax, translation by Umberto Albini and Vico Faggi, Milan, Mondadori, 1991;
(2) Iliad, book VII: to be prepared on any school edition, provided it is equipped with translation and notes;
(3) Iliad, book XV: to be prepared on any school edition, provided it is equipped with translation and notes;
(3) Quintus Smyrnaeus, Posthomerica, book V: to be prepared in the translation by G. Gagliarde, in: Quintus of Smyrnaeus. Il seguito dell'Iliade, Milan, Bompians, 2013.
N.B. 1. The list of texts may change, so it is advisable NOT to purchase texts before the start of the courses.
N.B. 2. For years, finding university (and even non-university) textbooks has become difficult. We therefore do not exclude the possibility of changes to the bibliography in the course.
Ricevimento: Wednesday 14-15, at DAPHIST, Hellenic Section, room 237, or remotely on the Teams platform if required. Students are kindly requested to pre-announce themselves (if possible a few days in advance) by contacting the lecturer by e-mail (w.lap@libero.it) or by text message (3381880197).
VALTER LAPINI (President)
DILETTA VIGNOLA
GABRIELLA MORETTI (President Substitute)
ALICE BONANDINI (Substitute)
FRANCESCA GAZZANO (Substitute)
LISA LONGONI (Substitute)
LARA NICOLINI (Substitute)
BIAGIO SANTORELLI (Substitute)
First semester. Classes begin: 3 October 2023.
GREEK LITERATURE
The examination will be preceded by an oral test of an imprint translation of a short text by a Greek author of medium difficulty, to be taken as part of the oral examination and as part of it. The remainder of the oral examination will consist of a test on the monographic course, on the texts of the examination programme (with translation of the passages, questions on language and on the historical-literary framework) and on the history of Greek literature based on the textbook.
In relation to the stated learning objectives, a sufficient knowledge of Greek to translate the original texts and a good knowledge of the fundamental aspects of ancient Greek literature will be ascertained. The examination includes a translation test on the imprint of a short text, in a question on the texts of the programme and the monographic course; it will also include questions on language, the literary historical framework and the history of literature; a theoretical and practical knowledge of the main ancient metrical forms, i.e. dactylic hexameter and iambic trimeter, is required.
Information on course and examination texts will be given at the beginning of the lectures. Useful materials will be made available on the Aulaweb. As the syllabuses may change during the course, students are requested NOT to purchase texts before the start of the course. Students who are unable to attend the course are requested to contact the lecturer well in advance in order to arrange an alternative programme.
