Today’s episode: The last Greek comedy! Discussion Prompts We have now seen Old Comedy, Middle Comedy, and New Comedy. Which is your favorite? Why? Are you familiar with Moliere’s The Misanthrope? If so, which play do you prefer, Dyskolos or The Misanthrope? Pan is a nature god, and the Nymphs are nature goddesses. Is thisContinue reading “Greek Comedy XIV: Menander’s Dyskolos, or the Remains of the New Comedy”
Category Archives: The Greeks
Greek Epics XIX: Iliad Book 18, or Grief Hurts
Achilles has finally learned of the death of Patroklos, but there is still the little problem of Hektor wearing his armor… Discussion Prompts What do you think would have happened if Hektor had taken the advice of Poulydamas? Is it too soon to ask/answer this question? Why does Homer spend so much time describing theContinue reading “Greek Epics XIX: Iliad Book 18, or Grief Hurts”
Greek Tragedy XVI: Sophocles’s Oedipus at Colonus, or When Oedipus Met Theseus
In this episode, we reach the end of Sophocles’s plays and see both the playwright and Oedipus as old men. Discussion Prompts Do you think radio, or podcast, is the best medium for Greek tragedies today? Why or why not? If you were producing the Sophocles Oedipus trilogy, would you cast the same man asContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XVI: Sophocles’s Oedipus at Colonus, or When Oedipus Met Theseus”
Greek Myth VIII: Hymns to Hermes, or Cheeky from the Start
In this episode, we cover the two Homeric Hymns to Hermes, numbers 4 and 18. Discussion Prompts Working off the idea that Hymn 18 is a kind of abstract for Hymn 4, now I’m curious what you think. If the Homeric Hymns were an academic journal, what would it be called? Who would be onContinue reading “Greek Myth VIII: Hymns to Hermes, or Cheeky from the Start”
Greek Epics XVIII: Iliad Book 17, or You Were Expecting More Achilles, Weren’t You
The death of Patroklos in Book 16 is a turning point in the Iliad. In this episode we start to see the aftermath. Discussion Prompts There aren’t many named women in the Iliad. Earlier, we met Hektor’s wife, Andromache. Why do you think Zeus mentions her when he endows Hektor with strength after Hektor donsContinue reading “Greek Epics XVIII: Iliad Book 17, or You Were Expecting More Achilles, Weren’t You”
Greek Comedy XIII: Aristophanes’s Plutus, or What If Wealth Could See?
This is the last play we have from Aristophanes, bringing us to the end of Old Comedy. Unless we decide to call this Middle Comedy. It’s definitely transitional! Discussion Prompts If you were directing this play today, when would you set it? Why? What do you think of the personifications of Wealth (Plutus) and Poverty?Continue reading “Greek Comedy XIII: Aristophanes’s Plutus, or What If Wealth Could See?”
Greek Epics XVII: Iliad Book 16, or Blame Achilles
We’re 2/3 of the way through the Iliad, and the events of Book 16 will turn the tide of the war. Discussion Prompts What do you think of Achilles in this book? Why do you think Patroklos pursues the Trojans beyond the Greek walls? What do you think would have happened if Patroklos hadn’t pursuedContinue reading “Greek Epics XVII: Iliad Book 16, or Blame Achilles”
Greek Tragedy XV: Sophocles’s Philoctetes, or You Were Expecting Danny DeVito?
If your only experience of Philoctetes is the character in Disney’s Hercules, prepare for a big surprise. Discussion Prompts How can we use this play to discuss disability rights today? This play is not about race, but how can we use this play to discuss race today? If you were directing this play today, howContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XV: Sophocles’s Philoctetes, or You Were Expecting Danny DeVito?”
Greek Myth VII: Hymns to Apollo, or Why Apollo’s Temples are In Pretty Places
Some of my favorite places in Greece are where Apollo was revered. Delos is magnificently preserved, and Delphi, both the ruins and the modern city, are beautifully perched on the side of a mountain. Discussion Prompts Why do you think the writer of Hymn 21 uses “Phoibos” instead of “Apollo”? What do you think theContinue reading “Greek Myth VII: Hymns to Apollo, or Why Apollo’s Temples are In Pretty Places”
Greek Epics XVI: Iliad Book 15, or It’s Always Darkest Before It Goes Pitch Black
Just how is the war going? Not well. Well, unless you’re a Trojan… Discussion Prompts What do you think about Ares in this book? Or Athena? Why is it unfair for Poseidon to help the Greeks but fair for Apollo to help the Trojans? Or is it not? Who is your current favorite character? Why?Continue reading “Greek Epics XVI: Iliad Book 15, or It’s Always Darkest Before It Goes Pitch Black”
Triumvir Clio's School of Classical Civilization 