Middlebury

CLAS 0420

Sem in Classical Lit Sophocles

Seminar in Classical Literature: Sophocles
The life of the tragic playwright Sophocles spans the Athenian 5th century BCE – from the Persian Wars to the defeat of Athens by Sparta. It thus coincides with Athens’ incredible intellectual and artistic achievements, its increasingly radical democracy, but also its ever more aggressive foreign policy. Against this background, Sophocles’ tragedies probe the mysteries of the soul, both of the individual and of the community, and confront the riddle of the human existence. In this seminar we will study closely Sophocles’ seven surviving plays as astute responses to their historical context and as poignant reflections on the human condition. Time permitting, we will also consider their profound impact on later thought and art, including opera and film. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
Classics
Department:
Classics
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
CMP EUR HIS LIT
Equivalent Courses:
HIST 0337
CLAS 0337

Sections in Spring 2016

Spring 2016

CLAS0420A-S16 Seminar (Witkin)
CLAS0420B-S16 Seminar (Witkin)