The student will acquire the basic information on the material and structural aspects of ancient theatre (actor, chorus, material organization of the representation, agonistic occasion, scenic space, public) and the story of the transmission of the dramatic texts from the "first" performance to us.

Through the reading from the original language of Euripide's Hecuba, the student will learn to understand a classical dramatic text in its linguistic, metrical-musical, thematic, historical-literary aspects, and its theatrical dynamics.

The course will begin (I-III week) from a general introduction to the Attic theatre, to its historical-evolutionary (from the initial stages to the time of maturity), and historical-cultural (society, historical events) aspects as well as to its material and dramaturgical features (shape and structure of the theatrical building, mask, actors, scenic space, theatrical machines, roles and movements on the scene).

It will continue (IV week) illustrating the figure and work of Euripides, whose tragedy will be the specific object of reading and analysis.

The remaining part of the course (V-IX week) will be entirely devoted to the original language reading of the Hecuba, whose text will be translated and commented in a critical-textual, historical-literary perspective, as well as in terms of plot and dramaturgy. The iambic trimeter will be introduced and illustrated, with reading exercises, and some notes will be given about the structure of the lyrical sections.

No propaedeutics are required, but a good command of the ancient Greek language is expected.

The student will be guided to an essential knowledge of Classical Greek theatre, and to the ability to independently read a classical theatrical text with the complexity it presents.

From the point of view of the information obtained, the student will acquire an in-depth knowledge of issues relating to the transmission of the text (through a careful reading of the critical apparatus and of the transmitted lectiones), its performance and representation on the stage, the treatment of the plot in relation to the mythographical tradition.

More generally, the process of analytical reading of the chosen text will have important consequences on the student's ability to deal proficiently with an independent, rigorous reading of every kind of source (literary, historiographical, etc.), and to develop analytical skills of close reading, synthesis and critical thinking on the data and sources.

From the educational point of view, the student will deepen their awareness of specific methodological aspects characterizing literary research and, in particular, his/her dramatic and aesthetic sensitivity to the formal aspects of the poetic and rhetorical and, namely, theatrical discourse.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures and supplementary materials in blended mode.

Innovative teaching methods

Debate

Attendance

To be counted as “attending”, students must participate in at least 50% of teaching hours and/or, for example, have completed any classwork, exercises or other activities the lecturer organised during the course.

The student is required to adhere very strictly to the examination programme indicated in the vademecum.

In the event of specific needs, which entail a variation of the syllabus in question, he/she must contact the lecturer to agree on an alternative syllabus.

Course books

1. Reference edition (mandatory):

Euripides Hecuba, ed. S. Daitz, Leipzig, Teubner 1972 e 1990

2. Reference Manual (mandatory)

G. Mastromarco, P. Totaro, Storia del Teatro greco, Firenze 2008

or, alternatively, 

Anna Maria Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Tecniche drammatiche e messa in scena, Città di Castello, Le Monnier Università, 2023

3. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

A work of your choice from

Euripides, Hecuba, Introduction, Text and Commentary, ed. by Justina Gregory, Atlanta, Georgia, Scholars Press, 1999

H. Foley, Euripides, Hecuba, London, New Dehli, New York, Sydney, Bloomsbury, 2015

Euripides and the poetics of sorrow. Art, Gender, and Commemoration in Alcestis, Hippolytus and Hecuba, Durham and London, Duke University Press, 1993, pp. 3-36; 157-226.

The student is required to read, in Italian translation, the following works (mandatory):

- Aristofane, Lysistrata

- Euripide, Trojans Women

- Euripide, Helen

The introductory lectures on the history of Greek theatre with the slides presented in class will also be the subject of the final examination.

Assessment

Oral examination.

The test intends to ascertain the student's mastery of the knowledge acquired on the history of Greek theatre (authors, works, chronological aspects), on Greek theatre in its historical context (social framework, socio-political context, ritual context), and historical-literary context (treatment of myth, comparisons with other contemporary plays), in its operation (theatre building, actors, stage roles, stage machinery, music, dramaturgy).

It also aims to ascertain the student's linguistic competence and his or her acquired ability to translate and interpret a theatre text in the original language. Particular attention will be paid to this aspect of the test.

The following will be assessed as excellent: an excellent knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the main themes dealt with in the course; the use of language appropriate to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will give rise to fair marks: a fair knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics covered, despite some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language, will result in sufficient marks.

The following will result in negative assessments: insufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; difficulties in the student's orientation with regard to the topics addressed in the examination texts; educational deficiencies; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Supplementary materials in blended mode.

Attendance

The student is requires to carefully observe the program indicated in the vademecum.

In case of specific needs, which require a variation of the indicated program, the student should contact the teacher to arrange an alternative program.

Course books

1. Reference edition (mandatory):

Euripides Hecuba, ed. S. Daitz, Leipzig, Teubner 1972 e 1990

2. Reference Manual (mandatory)

G. Mastromarco, P. Totaro, Storia del Teatro greco, Firenze 2008

or, alternatively, 

Anna Maria Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Tecniche drammatiche e messa in scena, Città di Castello, Le Monnier Università, 2023

3. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

A work of your choice from

Euripides, Hecuba, Introduction, Text and Commentary, ed. by Justina Gregory, Atlanta, Georgia, Scholars Press, 1999

H. Foley, Euripides, Hecuba, London, New Dehli, New York, Sydney, Bloomsbury, 2015

Euripides and the poetics of sorrow. Art, Gender, and Commemoration in Alcestis, Hippolytus and Hecuba, Durham and London, Duke University Press, 1993, pp. 3-36; 157-226.

The student is required to read, in Italian translation, the following works (mandatory):

- Aristofane, Lysistrata

- Euripide, Trojans Women

- Euripide, Helen

The introductory lectures on the history of Greek theatre with the slides presented in class will also be the subject of the final examination.

Assessment

Oral examination.

The test intends to ascertain the student's mastery of the knowledge acquired on the history of Greek theatre (authors, works, chronological aspects), on Greek theatre in its historical context (social framework, socio-political context, ritual context), and historical-literary context (treatment of myth, comparisons with other contemporary plays), in its operation (theatre building, actors, stage roles, stage machinery, music, dramaturgy).

It also aims to ascertain the student's linguistic competence and his or her acquired ability to translate and interpret a theatre text in the original language. Particular attention will be paid to this aspect of the test.

The following will be assessed as excellent: an excellent knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the main themes dealt with in the course; the use of language appropriate to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will give rise to fair marks: a fair knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics covered, despite some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language, will result in sufficient marks.

The following will result in negative assessments: insufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; difficulties in the student's orientation with regard to the topics addressed in the examination texts; educational deficiencies; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Further useful bibliography might be indicated by the professor during the lessons.

A good command of the ancient Greek language is required.