Relationships in Greek Drama: A Letter to a Spartan Friend
Part I: This examination will begin with “Classics in Our World” words to explain: Ancient Origin, Modern Meaning, and Example Sentence.
Part II: Students will choose one (1) of the following six letters to write in class on the day scheduled for our final examination: Wednesday December 14, 2016, 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
This assignment will also include several “Classics in Our World” terms. Students will explain the ancient significance of each, their modern use, and include an example.
During the examination, students will not use texts, notes or other aids. Evaluation criteria include completeness, accuracy, textual understanding, spelling and grammar. Show that you understand the events you narrate, and the role of the characters you mention. Show that you understand the geography of the events you describe. Make it clear what you think about the characters’ actions and words.
The Letter.
Imagine that you are an Athenian citizen who has just returned home from seeing a play. You were fascinated by a relationship between two of the characters in the dramatic production you just witnessed, and you write a letter to a friend of yours in Sparta in order to share your thoughts about it. [If you write about one of the comedies, be sure to make an appropriate reference to the Peloponnesian War in your letter.]
In your letter briefly explain:
1) The basic plot of the play,
2) the cast of major characters and the theatre layout (Mention the location(s) of where is the play is supposed to take place.).
Your letter will then concentrate on
3) the relationship between two characters in the play. Explain to your friend what brought these characters together, what their relationship is, and what their feelings for each other are. Tell your friend the strengths and weaknesses of the relationship, and what issues these two characters must deal with as they interact with one another and with the rest of the cast and audience.
Be sure to give at least three (3) details/examples/quotations from the plays to support your statements. For example, if you describe a character as being hostile, loyal, or indifferent to another character, explain the reasons for the hostility, loyalty or indifference, or how the character displays those feelings. What does the script/text tell us?
Remember, your Spartan friend might not know much about Athenian culture, so you will need briefly to explain the festival in which the play takes place, the shape of the theater, and what it is like to attend a dramatic performance.
Be creative, but do not stray too much from verisimilitude. Please write your letter in English, even though that language was unknown in ancient Athens and Sparta.
The Choices
Students will choose one of the following six letters to write in class.
1. The Relationship Between Pheidippides and Strepsiades in Aristophanes” Clouds (423 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Great Dionysia, phrontisterion/Pondertorium, Socrates, the Chorus of Clouds, Inferior Argument, Superior Argument, Zeus.
2. The Relationship Between Procleon and Contracleon in Aristophanes’ Wasps (422 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Lenaea, Xanthias, the Chorus of Wasps, “trialophile,” Cleonhound, Cleon, Dardanis.
3. The Relationship Between Makemedo (Peithetairos) and “The Divine Princess” in Aristophanes’ Birds (414 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Great Dionysia, “Cloudcuckooland,” Iris, Jerkoffalot (barbarian god), the Chorus of Birds, Hoopoe, Zeus.
4. The Relationship Between Clytemnestra and Cassandra Aeschylus’ Agamemnon (458 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Great Dionysia, Agamemnon, Aegisthus, Troy, Helen, Paris, Thyestes.
5. The Relationship Between Orestes and Electra in Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers (458 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Great Dionysia, Clytemnestra, Pylades, the Chorus of Libation Bearers, Hermes, Aegisthus, the Snake.
6. The Relationship Between Orestes and Athena in Aeschylus’ The Furies (458 BCE).
Be sure to mention the following, showing that you understand the relevance of each to your discussion.
Great Dionysia, Delphi, Clytemnestra’s Ghost, Apollo, Areopagus, Zeus, the Chorus of Furies.
Example Letter Outline:
1. Greeting: “Dear…” (Give your Spartan friend a name).
2. Athenian Theater: How is it shaped? Where is it? What festival did you attend?
3. Mention the name of the play (and why it got that name); give the author’s name.
4. Briefly explain the basic Plot, including setting and characters. Who made up the chorus?
5. Discuss the relationship between the two characters, their issues, their strengths/weaknesses, and conflicts (if any), with at least three examples from the play.
6. Why did this relationship and the play impress you so much? What was it like to sit in the theater of Dionysos with your fellow citizens?
Be sure to include the terms required for the letter that you choose.
Have fun!
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