Triumvir Clio

Greek Epics XLIX: Odyssey Book 24, or The Return of Martin Guerre

In today’s episode, we reach the end of Odysseus’s journey. I first learned about Martin Guerre from the musical and was amazed to learn that it was based on a real case. The musical is by the same duo that wrote Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. You can listen to the entire cast album onContinue reading “Greek Epics XLIX: Odyssey Book 24, or The Return of Martin Guerre”

Greek Tragedy XXXI: Euripides’s Phoenician Women, or Not Your Grandpa’s Oedipus Assuming Your Grandpa is Sophocles or Aeschylus

Forget everything you thought you knew about Oedipus. Euripides has a whole new version in The Phoenician Women. Discussion Prompts We have seen three different visions of the Oedipus myth, one from each of our tragedians. Which one do you prefer? Why? If you were directing this play, when and where would you set it? Why? WhyContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XXXI: Euripides’s Phoenician Women, or Not Your Grandpa’s Oedipus Assuming Your Grandpa is Sophocles or Aeschylus”

Greek Myth XXIII: Hymn to Earth, Mother of All, or The Hymn Stole My Subtitle

We sing to where it all started in the Homeric Hymn to Earth, Mother of All. Discussion Prompts What does Gaia look like? Why? AP Credit: What makes this hymn different than the others in the collection known as the Homeric Hymns? What does this poem have to say about omnipotence versus free will? IsContinue reading “Greek Myth XXIII: Hymn to Earth, Mother of All, or The Hymn Stole My Subtitle”

Greek Epics XLVIII: Odyssey Book 23, or Reunited and It Feels So Good

Penelope tests the stranger in Book 23 of The Odyssey. Discussion Prompts Is Book 23 really the end? Why or why not? Should Odysseus have gotten help from the rest of Ithaka to oust the suitors? Why or why not? Is the scar really a good sign that the stranger is Odysseus? Why or whyContinue reading “Greek Epics XLVIII: Odyssey Book 23, or Reunited and It Feels So Good”

Roman Comedy XIII: Plautus’s Captivi, or Plautus Tries to Be High-Brow

Plautus tries his hand at grand opera in Captivi. Discussion Prompts What is the difference between “captives” and “slaves”? Why or why not does this matter? What is Plautus trying to say about slavery? Where does a parasite fit in a world divided by those who are free and those who are enslaved? Why do youContinue reading “Roman Comedy XIII: Plautus’s Captivi, or Plautus Tries to Be High-Brow”

Greek Epics XLVII: Odyssey Book 22, or There Will Be Blood

The suitors get their comeuppance in the bloodiest book of The Odyssey. Discussion Prompts Athena helps, but not really. Discuss. Why isn’t Zeus mad? Do the maids deserve to be executed? Why or why not? Does Melanthios deserve his punishment? Why or why not? AP Credit: Justice or vengeance? Discuss.

Greek Tragedy XXX: Euripides’s The Cyclops, or The Last Satyr… Play

We’ve studied comedies. We’ve studied tragedies. But there was a third man… I mean type of play in Ancient Greece. Today we cover the only surviving Satyr Play. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Compare/Contrast Homer’s The Odyssey with Euripides’s The Cyclops. What do you think about the changes Euripides makes to the story of Odysseus andContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XXX: Euripides’s The Cyclops, or The Last Satyr… Play”

Greek Myth XXII: Hymns to Hestia, or The Center of the Home, The World, and Everything!

Hestia is the most mysterious of goddesses. She’s also one of the most important, which we see in Homeric Hymns 24 and 29. Discussion Prompts Where would you put the shrine to Hestia in your house were she part of your worship? What is Hermes doing in a hymn to Hestia? Do you think theContinue reading “Greek Myth XXII: Hymns to Hestia, or The Center of the Home, The World, and Everything!”

Greek Epics XLVI: Odyssey Book 21, or Robin Hood

If Odysseus is this good with a bow, Teukros must be amazing… But then, Teukros isn’t in The Odyssey… Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Why is Herakles suddenly a contemporary of Odysseus? What do you think about Telemakhos is this book? Explain. AP Credit: Odysseus the bard. And… Go! Does Penelope know that the beggar is Odysseus? WhyContinue reading “Greek Epics XLVI: Odyssey Book 21, or Robin Hood”

Roman Comedy XII: Plautus’s Aulularia, or My Daughter! My Ducats!

Euclio gives Shylock a run for his money in the realm of miserly characters in Plautus’s Aulularia. Discussion Prompts What do you think happens in the lost ending of this play? As a director, how would you handle the lost ending? As a director, how would you handle the fact that Lyconides raped Phaedria? ShouldContinue reading “Roman Comedy XII: Plautus’s Aulularia, or My Daughter! My Ducats!”