Only a few complete examples and a multitude of fragments from the wide Greek and Latin theatrical production reached us, all of which by now reduced to bare texts. The class aims to provide the basic tools for understanding the contexts and practical aspects of ancient theater, and thus read Greek and Latin comedies and tragedies with awareness of their original performance dimension.
Knowing the history and authors of Greek and Latin theatre and the twelve texts by authors from Aeschylus to Seneca in their Italian translation. Ability to read texts that were written for the stage as ‘scripts’. Elements of the evolution of the theatre building. Sufficient ability to identify the structure of a text, possible stage situation and to recognise and connect the placement of words in lines. Elements on the success and presence of Greek and Latin texts in the modern age.
The learning aims in detail are:
At the end of the class, the student will have a basic knowledge of the history of theatre in the ancient world and of the main Greek and Latin authors of the tragic and comic genres; he/she will have direct knowledge of a representative selection of ancient plays; he/she will be able to read the texts with awareness of the dramaturgical structures and performance aspects; he/she will have the first rudiments to evaluate the reception of ancient theatre in modern and contemporary productions.
Lessons will be held in presence.
The first hours will offer a general overview of theatre in the ancient world through frontal lessons (with power points). This will be followed by lessons with direct reading of Greek and Latin texts in translation, but with frequent references to the original text, in which the active participation of the students will be required. With reference to the fortune of ancient dramas, video clips of contemporary performances may also be offered.
As part of the didactic support activities, Dr Valeria Bacigalupo will hold 4 lectures dedicated to Latin theatrical texts.
Overview of the evolution of the theatrical phenomenon in the ancient world, from classical Athens to imperial Rome: theatrical buildings, contexts and practical aspects of staging; main Greek and Latin playwrights and the structure of the plays.
Reading and interpretation of a selection of texts representative of the tragic and comic genre.
Outlines on the reception and fortune of ancient drama, with particular reference to modern and contemporary restaging of classical comedies and tragedies.
Non-attending students are encouraged to contact the teacher (serena.perrone@unige.it).
Recommended Handbook:
Autonomous reading of the full text in translation of 9 dramas (possibly in editions with the original text opposite for students of Lettere classical curriculum; in any translation for other students).
4 Greek dramas from a choice of the following (at least one per author):
3 Greek comedies from a choice of the following:
2 Latin dramas from a choice of the following (one per author):
Some materials and further guidance will be provided during the semester (see Aulaweb).
Ricevimento: On appointment. Please e-mail at serena.perrone@unige.it
SERENA PERRONE (President)
VALERIA BACIGALUPO
LARA PAGANI (Substitute)
19 February 2024
ANCIENT THEATRE
The exam consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the acquisition of general knowledge about ancient theatre, its history and the main Greek and Latin playwrights, as well as the ability to read and interpret Greek and Latin dramatic texts with an awareness of their performative aspects.
The examen will consist of an interview aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of general knowledge about ancient theatre, its history and the main Greek and Latin playwrights, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical reading of a selection of texts, which includes the scenes covered during the class and the 9 full-length plays read in translation by the student on their own. Clarity and propriety of language in exposition are also considered.
As a basic threshold, knowledge of the outlines of Greek and Latin theatre history and the surviving production of the main authors (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence, Seneca) is required. To reach a threshold of excellence, the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the dramaturgical analysis of texts is required, demonstrating the ability to correctly frame texts, understand their structure and performative aspects, and grasp the essential aspects for a comparative analysis with modern re-staging.
