This course will examine the representation of identity in ancient drama, and in ancient society. Greek and Roman plays, both tragic and comic, changed substantially in form and subject matter as they made their way from Athens in the fifth century BCE, across the immense Hellenistic kingdoms, and into the republic of Rome in the third century BCE. Broadly speaking, fifth century Greek tragedies and comedies strongly focused upon Athenian political events, and explicitly engaged the historical figures, and socio-political issues of their day. In contrast, comedies written in the Hellenistic period have been interpreted as a depiction of the domestic trials of a Greek household, a situation that makes no reference to contemporary events or characters. In short, the comedies of the Hellenistic period are bereft of political commentary. In the second half of the course, we will consider the response of Greek drama to Macedonian domination. In traditional historical narratives of the early Hellenistic period, Macedonian hegemony and the rise of large autocratic empires are linked to the decline of Athenian democracy and the rise of 'individualism'. Do the late plays of Aristophanes, and the drammas of Menander and Plautus, all devoid of socio-political content, suggest a civic body that is disengaged politically? How did the Hellenistic and Roman audience receive and read the dramatic characters? To whom, and how, were these plays speaking? Did the plays implicitly engage civic issues, or were they merely understood as light relief from the world of resettlements, economic risks, and ever present war? How do the Hellenistic dramas of Menander and Plautus shape identity, if at all? |