Classics

This course is open to all students; no previous knowledge of the subject is required.  The course is essentially the study of ancient Greek literature in translation.  In past years just under half of our students have taken up the subject without previous study.  New students are very quickly on a par with those who have studied the subject before.

Three AS topics are taken in the first year: (OCR JACT syllabus)

(1) Homer’s Odyssey (Module 2736)

Students read the whole of the epic poem to develop a sound understanding of the basic plot, the main themes and characters.  Four books are studied in depth and more detailed context questions are set on these.

(2) Greek Comedy (Module 2746)

Students read three Greek comedies and examine their plot, structure and themes, the presentation of character, and types and sources of humour.  The plays are set in their political and social context, so that students get a broad understanding of life in Fifth-century Athens. Current plays for examination are Aristophanes’ Peace, Acharnians and Wasps.

(3) Greek Tragedy – Euripides (Module 2741

We look at the origin and development of drama.  Three plays of Euripides are studied in depth.  Candidates will learn about how Fifth-century Athenians viewed the following: the gods; their role in the world and their festivals, the stories of the heroes, and the roles of both men and women in the life of the city. We generally manage to see live performances of at least one of the plays. The current plays for study and examination are Medea, Bacchae and Hippolytus.

In the second year we take three further components at A2 Level. They are likely to be:

(1) Virgil’s Aeneid (Module 2737)

This is the Roman version of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.  We read about how Aeneas left Troy after its capture by the Greeks and after ten years’ adventures in the Mediterranean, eventually arrives in Italy, overcomes the native resistance and founds the Roman race.  As with Homer, we analyse the plot, themes and characters.  We also look at its purpose and how far it is propaganda.  We make comparisons with Homer.

(2) Greek Tragedy - Aeschylus and Sophocles (Module 2740):

Three plays are studied in depth - Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, Sophocles’ Electra and Oedipus the King – “We compare these with last year’s plays, examine the development of Greek drama, and explore the key themes of these important plays.”

(3) Greek Comedy - Later Aristophanes and Menander (Module 2754)

We study three plays - Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, Assemblywomen, and Menander’s Dyskolos.  Areas of study include plot structure and theme, the element of fantasy, escapism, the use of parody, the presentation of character, types and sources of humour, the degree of seriousness underlying the humour.   This module is examined by coursework.   

                                                                        M.K.Dolan

R.S.

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