Triumvir Clio

Greek Epics XXIX: Odyssey Book 4, or Something is Rotten in the State of Sparta

Despite what the title would have you believe, the Telemachy takes up a decent part of the Odyssey. In this episode, Telemakhos continues his own journey in search of news of his father. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Compare/Contrast the feast at Pylos with the feast at Sparta. What do you think about Menelaos? How doesContinue reading “Greek Epics XXIX: Odyssey Book 4, or Something is Rotten in the State of Sparta”

Greek Tragedy XXI: Euripides’s Andromache, or If Euripides and Clare Boothe Luce Wrote a Play Together

If Euripides had helped Clare Boothe Luce to write The Women, Andromache might have been the result, only with more witty ripostes. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Discuss how xenophobia is presented in this play. If you were staging this play today, where and when would you set it? Why? Which character do you like better:Continue reading “Greek Tragedy XXI: Euripides’s Andromache, or If Euripides and Clare Boothe Luce Wrote a Play Together”

Greek Myth XIII: Hymns to Hera, or Don’t Forget the Queen of the Gods

In this short episode, we’ll look at the one short Homeric Hymn to Hera. Discussion Prompts Why do you think this hymn lacks a farewell? Based on this hymn to Hera, why do you think she merits invocation? Do you have any other thoughts about this poem? If so, please share!

Greek Epics XXVIII: Odyssey Book 3, or Nestor Tells Stories

Telemakhos meets Nestor, and the old man regales him with tales of the Trojan War and its aftermath. Discussion Prompts Why does Odysseus choose to stay with Agamemnon? Why does Nestor tell Telemakhos about Orestes? AP Credit: Discuss guest-host relationships as shown in Book 3. Why does Athena bother saying that she’s returning to theContinue reading “Greek Epics XXVIII: Odyssey Book 3, or Nestor Tells Stories”

Roman Comedy III: Plautus’s Stichus, or Meet the Parasite

Henry Thomas Riley describes the plot of today’s play as “extremely meagre”. I think you’ll see why. Discussion Prompts Why do you think this play is named after Stichus? What do you think of the Parasite? What are some more modern versions of this stock character? If you were directing this play today, how wouldContinue reading “Roman Comedy III: Plautus’s Stichus, or Meet the Parasite”

Greek Epics XXVII: Odyssey Book 2, or Don’t Mess With a Clever Woman

Telemakhos takes Athena’s advice, and Penelope tries to control her own life in Book 2 of the Odyssey. Discussion Prompts Why do you think Aigyptios opens the assembly even though Telemakhos is the one who called for it? What is wrong with Antinoös’s ultimatum? Why do you think Penelope has allowed the suitors to plunderContinue reading “Greek Epics XXVII: Odyssey Book 2, or Don’t Mess With a Clever Woman”

Greek Tragedy XX: Euripides’s Hippolytus, or Aphrodite Has a Curl Right in the Middle of Her Forehead

When Aphrodite is good, she is very very good, but when she is bad, she is horrid. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Why does Phaedra long for the mountains, the meadows, the clear streams, etc.? What do you think of the nurse? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Why? Hippolytus’s mother is an Amazon, yet he isContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XX: Euripides’s Hippolytus, or Aphrodite Has a Curl Right in the Middle of Her Forehead”

Greek Myth XII: Hymns to Athena, or She’d as Soon Love You as Destroy You

In this episode, we’ll look at the two Homeric Hymns dedicated to Athena. Discussion Prompts Why do you think the poet includes Ares in Hymn 11? AP Credit: What do you think Tritogeneia means? Why? Why do you think Hesiod leaves out the detail about Athena being born fully clothed in armor? Why do youContinue reading “Greek Myth XII: Hymns to Athena, or She’d as Soon Love You as Destroy You”

Greek Epics XXVI: Odyssey Book 1, or The Gods Get the Action Started

In this episode, we start reading the second of the great Homeric epics, the story of Odysseus’s journey home from Troy. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Discuss the instances of liminality in this book. AP Credit: Compare/contrast the character of Telemakhos with the characters of the suitors. What does this book tell us about fate, theContinue reading “Greek Epics XXVI: Odyssey Book 1, or The Gods Get the Action Started”

Roman Comedy II: Plautus’s Miles Gloriosus, or That Soldier from Funny Thing… Forum’s Backstory

You may know Miles Gloriosus as the braggart soldier in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This play is the source material for that character. Discussion Prompts What other plays does this remind you of? Why? If you were directing this play, where/when would you set it? Why? Who would beContinue reading “Roman Comedy II: Plautus’s Miles Gloriosus, or That Soldier from Funny Thing… Forum’s Backstory”