CLST 4003 H: Greek Comedy. Essay Topics.
Illustration: Skyphos (black-figure) from Kabeiroi sanctuary
near Thebes. Scenes are often comic. 6th century BCE. Characters in masks
below vines with grapes. Thebes Museum. This flute player is about to get
a surprise.
Students will write a series of essays, due as indicated above. Students may choose the topic they think appropriate for each play, but before the end of the semester, every student will have written the essays which are marked with asterisks below.
Essay topics:
***1. What does the PARABASIS of this play say about THE NATURE OF COMEDY? [The parabasis of Acharnians is lines 626-718; the parabasis of Knights is lines 499-610; the parabasis of Clouds is lines 518-626; the parabasis of Wasps is lines 1010-1121; the parabasis of Peace is 729-817; the parabasis of Birds is 676-800, and a second parabasis at 1058-1117.]
***2. To what extent does the play refer to CURRENT EVENTS AND PEOPLE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?]
***3. To what extent does the play refer to THE GODS AND RELIGION? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?]
4. To what extent does the play refer to or parody TRAGEDY, LYRIC AND/OR EPIC POETRY? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Thesmophoriazusae, Frogs, Acharnians, Wasps
5. To what extent does the play refer to ATHENIAN DEMOCRACY? [What does the play say about it? How does it represent it? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Knights, Acharnians, Ecclesiazusae, Wasps
6. To what extent does the play refer to issues of WAR AND PEACE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Peace, Lysistrata, Acharnians
7. To what extent does the play refer to EATING, FOOD, DRINK, AND/OR COOKING? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?]
8. To what extent does the play refer to SEX AND OBSCENITY? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?]
9. To what extent does the play refer to CLOTHING, COSTUME, AND/OR DISGUISE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Frogs, Acharnians, Ecclesiazusae, Thesmophoriazusae.
10. To what extent does the play refer to FAMILY AND FAMILY RELATIONS? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Clouds, Acharnians, Lysistrata, Wasps
11. To what extent does the play refer to MUSIC AND DANCE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Birds, Wasps, Acharnians, Peace, Lysistrata
12. To what extent does the play refer to AGRICULTURE AND FARMING? ? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Acharnians, Peace, Knights
13. To what extent does the play refer to YOUTH AND OLD AGE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Wasps, Clouds, Lysistrata, Ecclesiazusae
14. To what extent does the play refer to UTOPIA AND/OR THE IDEAL STATE? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Ecclesizusae, Peace, Birds, Wealth
15. To what extent does the play refer to WEALTH AND/OR POVERTY? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Wasps, Clouds, Wealth, Knights, Ecclesiazusae
16. To what extent does the play refer to WOMEN? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Thesmophoriazusae, Lysistrata, Ecclesiazusae
17. To what extent does the play refer to SCIENTISTS, SOPHISTS, AND/OR EDUCATION? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Clouds, Birds, Wealth
18. . To what extent does the play refer to LANGUAGE, SPEECH, AND/OR ORATORY? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Clouds, Frogs
19. To what extent does the play refer to CLEON? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Knights, Wasps, Peace