The students will acquire basic information on ancient theatre's material and structural aspects (actor, chorus, material organisation of the performance, agonal occasion, stage space, audience) and the history of the transmission of dramatic texts from the 'first' performance to the present day.

By reading Euripides' Helena from the original language, the students will practise understanding a classical drama text in its linguistic, metrical-musical, thematic, and historical-literary dimensions and in terms of theatrical dynamics.

The course will begin (weeks I-II) with a general introduction to Attic theatre, in its historical-evolutionary aspects (from the initial phases to the moment of maturity), and historical-cultural aspects (society, historical events), as well as in its material aspects (the form of the theatre building, the mask, the actors) and dramaturgical aspects (stage space, theatrical machines, roles and movements on stage).

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

The remaining portion of the course (weeks III-VI) will be entirely dedicated to the reading of Helena, the text of which will be translated and commented on from a critical-textual, historical-literary point of view, from the point of view of the plot and the scenic-dramaturgical aspects. The iambic trimeter will be introduced and illustrated with reading exercises, and some suggestions will be provided on the structure of the lyrical sections.

Students are expected to have a good knowledge of Ancient Greek.

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

The teaching materials indicated will, as far as possible, be made available by the teacher on the blended platform.

Teaching

Lectures and supplementary materials in blended mode.

Innovative teaching methods

Discussions during lectures and seminars by students.

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 must adhere very strictly to the examination programme indicated in the syllabus.

In the event of specific needs, which entail a variation of the syllabus in question, students should contact the lecturer to agree on an alternative syllabus.

Course books

1. Reference edition (mandatory):

Eudipide. Elena, Lorenzo Valla, Mondadori, Milano, 2021, a cura di Barbara Castiglioni; Nota al testo e Appendice metrica a cura di Liana Lomiento

Also the edition Euripidis Fabulae III, ed. J. Diggle, Oxford Classical Texts, Oxford 1994 will be consulted.

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

- Il mito di Elena, a cura di M. Bettini, C. Brillante, Einaudi, Torino 2014 (2002)

- Elena. Variazioni sul mito. Euripide, Hofmannsthal, Ritsos, a cura di F. Donadi, marsilio, Venezia 2008 (2005)

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

Euripides, Ion

Euripides, Alcestis

Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazousai

The introductory lectures on the history of Greek theatre and 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):

Eudipide. Elena, Lorenzo Valla, Mondadori, Milano, 2021, a cura di Barbara Castiglioni; Nota al testo e Appendice metrica a cura di Liana Lomiento

Also the edition Euripidis Fabulae III, ed. J. Diggle, Oxford Classical Texts, Oxford 1994 will be consulted.

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

- Il mito di Elena, a cura di M. Bettini, C. Brillante, Einaudi, Torino 2014 (2002)

- Elena. Variazioni sul mito. Euripide, Hofmannsthal, Ritsos, a cura di F. Donadi, marsilio, Venezia 2008 (2005)

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

Euripides, Ion

Euripides, Alcestis

Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazousai

The introductory lectures on the history of Greek theatre and 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.

The professor might provide a further useful bibliography during the lessons.

A good knowledge of Ancient Greek is required.

This course does not differentiate between “attending” and “non-attending” students regarding teaching methods, attendance obligations, course books, or assessments.