CLST 4003 H: Greek Comedy. Possible Paper 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.
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
20. To what extent does the play refer to FOREIGNERS/BARBARIANS/NON-GREEKS? [What does the play say about them? How does it represent them? Why does it do so? What is the point?] Suggestions: Thesmophoriazousai, Birds, Akharnians
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