The Voyage of the Hero in Greek and Roman Literature

The Voyage of the Hero in Greek and Roman Literature CLCV316 Professor Morgan Fall 2014 Office: Morton Hall 328 Millington 23 email: ammorgan@wm.edu MWF 11:00-11:50 Office Hours: T & W 1-2, or by appointment Course Website: http://annmariemorgan.wordpress.com/voyage-of-the-hero/ COURSE DESCRIPTION AND AIMS This course follows the trajectory of the hero in Classical literature, primarily epic poetry, from its precursors in ancient Mesopotamia to its legacy in modern literature and cinema. The course combines close readings of ancient texts in English (known as primary sources) with some recent secondary scholarship on these works in order to allow for the fullest exploration of the topic of the hero and heroism in the ancient world. Much of the reading and class discussion will focus on how the ancient texts were both literary and cultural artifacts that were produced by a society (and author) in a specific time and place. We will discuss how concepts of hero or heroic changed over time as well as between cultures and genres (from epic poetry to historical prose). We will examine how constructions of heroes reflected societal values or political ideologies and also how major epics engaged with each other and impacted other productions of Greco-Roman society. The main goals of this course are (1) to introduce students to the major epics of Greek and Roman society as well as the interpretative issues that surround these texts in modern scholarship, (2) to develop critical thinking skills and analysis through close readings of primary sources, engaged discussions of secondary scholarship, and repeated writing exercises, (3) to learn how to discuss and articulate the main points and arguments of ancient literature and modern scholarship (as well as how they engage with one another), (4) finally, to allow opportunities for integrating technology, particularly online resources and tools, into the learning process. REQUIRED TEXTS (ALL AT THE BOOKSTORE) The Epic of Gilgamesh, translated by B. Foster, New York. The Iliad of Homer, translated by R. Lattimore, Chicago. Homer, The Odyssey, translated by R. Fitzgerald, New York. Vergil, Aeneid, translated by S. Lombardo, Indianapolis. Lucan, Civil War, translated by S. Braund, Oxford. The rest of the readings will be posted on Blackboard 1

ASSIGNMENTS Attendance and Participation: 15% Three Online Assignments: 15% Paper 1: 15% Paper 2: 20% Midterm Examination: 15% Final Examination: 20% Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and informed participation in classroom discussions are of the utmost importance to the successful completion of this course. You are expected to come to every class meeting and have the assigned reading for that day prepared ahead of time. For some class meetings, you will be asked to post discussion questions on blackboard before the class meeting. These requests will also be included in your participation assessment. Short Assignments: Over the course of the semester you will have three short online assignments that will vary in scope, but utilize the resources of the web in order to test new ways of engaging with ancient materials, your class mates and technology. The requirements for each assignment will be provided closer to the due date, but broadly will consist of (1) a discussion of other Greek heroes based on online resources, (2) a Google Earth mapping project, and (3) the creation of an online profile (think LinkedIn or OkCupid) for one of the heroes. Papers: Additionally, you will have two papers due during the semester. Both papers should be 5-7 pages and no late papers will be accepted (see extension policy below). A choice of paper topics and the specific formatting of the papers will be provided closer to each paper s due dates. A student may choose his or her own topic, but must receive my approval at least two weeks before the due date. ***For those of you registered with the Writing component of this course, the paper requirements are different. You will have one 5-7 page paper due with the rest of the class. The second paper will expand on this topic and must be between 12-15 pages. Your rough draft will be due on Nov. 17 th and your final draft will be due on Dec. 8 th.*** Extension Policy: No extensions will be given except for medical emergencies that have been reviewed by the Dean s office and have documentation. Papers that are submitted late with receive a letter grade deduction for every 24 hour period past the due date. Exams: This class has both a midterm and a final exam, which will consist of definitions, character/passage identification, short answer questions, and essay questions. Extra credit is available by attending one of the AIA or Classics department lectures (see the schedule). To receive credit, you must write a 1-2 page (double-spaced) summary of the talk to be submitted within 2 days of the lecture. Honor System: All students are expected to follow the Honor System: www.wm.edu/offices/deanofstudents/services/studentconduct/documents/studenthandbook.pd 2

IMPORTANT DATES September 26: Online Response October 3: Paper 1 Due October 8: Midterm October 27: Mapping Project November 17: Paper 2 Due November 24: Profile Project PROPOSED READING SCHEDULE 1 W. Aug. 27 Introduction F. Aug. 29 Buxton, Introduction The Complete World of Greek Mythology Articles on Modern heroes. Both readings on Blackboard 2 M. Sept. 1 Gilgamesh Tablets I-IV Introduction in Epic of Gilgamesh, xi-xxii W. Sept. 3 Gilgamesh Tablets V-XI F. Sept. 5 Gilgamesh: Netherworld, death and Birth Jakobsen, And Death the Journey s End, Epic of Gilgamesh 183-207. 3 M. Sept. 8 Iliad Book 1 Power, Chapter One Homer s Odyssey: a Reading Guide. 2011. Foley, Epic as genre, in The Cam. Comp. to Homer, pp. 171-187. AIA Talk: The Un-heroic in Archaic Greek Art Prof. Carpenter (Ohio Univ.). Andrews 101, 4:30pm W. Sept. 10 Iliad Books 2, 3, 5 (selections) F. Sept. 12 Iliad Books 6-8 (selections) Raaflaub, Homeric Society in A New Comp. to Homer, 1996: 624-48 4 M. Sept. 15 Iliad Books 9-10, 16 Fowler, The Homeric Question The Cam. Comp. To Homer, 220-32 W. Sept. 17 Iliad Books 17-19 F. Sept. 19 Iliad 21-24 5 M. Sept. 22 Odyssey Books 1-2 W. Sept. 24 Odyssey Books 5-6, 11-12 TR. Sep. 23 AIA Talk: Phrasikleia and Merenda Kouros: Beauty, Victory, Death and Marriage in Archaic Athens Prof. Rotroff, Washington Univ. Andrews 101, 4:30pm F. Sept. 26 Online Assignment 1 due Odyssey Books 13, 17-18 Kearns, The Gods in the Homeric Epic, The Cam. Comp. to Homer, pp. 59-73. 6 M. Sept. 29 Odyssey 19-20 Haft, The City-Sacker Odysseus Iliad 2 and 10 TAPA 120 (1990) 37-56. W. Oct. 1 Odyssey 21-23 F. Oct. 3 Paper 1 Due The Hero in Greek Art: Reading TBD 3

7 M. Oct. 6 Leonidas and Themistokles (in Herodotus) Evans, Herodotus, Explorer of the Past Essay II. W. Oct. 8 Midterm F. Oct. 10 Other Greek Heroes: Hercules, Theseus, Bellerophon (No Class) 8 M. Oct. 13 Fall Break W. Oct. 15 Argonautica Book 1 Nelis, Apollonius of Rhodes in A Comp. to Anc. Epic, 2005: 353-63. J. Clauss, Chapter One The Best of the Argonauts. TR. Oct. 16 AIA Talk: 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed Prof. Cline, American Univ. Millington 150, 4:30pm F. Oct. 17 Topic: Intro to the Roman World Beye, Ancient Epic Poetry: Homer, Apollonius, Virgil, 1993: 187-218 J. Zetzel. Rome and its Traditions in Camb. Companion to Vergil 9 M. Oct. 20 Aeneid Books 1 and 2 Kennedy, Vergilian Epic in Cambridge Companion to Vergil Parry, Two Voices of Virgil s Aeneid Arion 2 (1963), 66-80. W. Oct. 22 Everyone reads: Aeneid Book 4 K. McLeish, Dido, Aeneas, and the Concept of Pietas Greece and Rome 19 (1972), 127-135 Edgeworth, The Death of Dido CJ 72 (1977) 129-133 S. Treggiari, Women in the Time of Augustus in The Cam Comp to the Age of Augustus (2005), Selection. Other articles will be distributed among the class F. Oct. 24 Everyone Reads: Aeneid Book 6 J. Zetzel, Romane Memento: Justice and Judgment in Aeneid 6 TAPA 119 (1989): 263-84 Williams, The Sixth Book of the Aeneid, Greece & Rome 11 (1964), pp. 48-63 Other articles will be distributed among the class 10 M. Oct. 27 Mapping Project Due Aeneid Books 8 and 10. Coleman, The Gods in the Aeneid Greece and Rome 29 (1982), pp. 143-168 Wilson, Jupiter and the Fates in the Aeneid, CQ 29 (1979), pp. 361-371 W. Oct. 29 Aeneid Book 12 Galinsky, The Anger of Aeneas, AJP 109 (1988): 321-48. Williams, The Purpose of the Aeneid Oxford Readings (1990) F. Oct. 31 Livy, Book 1 selections Hutchinson, Livy, Virgil, and traditional Values of Rome S. Bell, Role Models in the Roman World Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome. 2008. Pp. 1-39 11 M. Nov. 3 Livy, Book 2 selections Roller, Exemplarity in Roman Culture Classical Philology 99, 2004 4

W. Nov. 5 Topic: Women and Gender in Epic Readings will be assigned AIA Talk: Ancient Cyprus: An Island between East and West Dr. Herscher. Andrews 101, 4:30pm. F. Nov. 7 Pharsalia Books 1 and 2 Introduction 12 M. Nov. 10 Pharsalia Books 3 and 5 N. Holmes, Nero and Caesar: Lucan 1.33-66 Classical Philology, 94 (1999): 75-81. W. Nov. 12 Pharsalia Books 6 and 7 V. Panoussi, Virgil and Epic Topoi in Lucan s Massilia, in Being There Together: Essays in Honor of Michael C. J. Putnam, Afton, MN 2003: 222-39 F. Nov. 14 Pharsalia Books 8 and 9 R. Gordon, Lucan s Erictho, in Homo Viator: Classical Essays for John Bramble. Bristol 1987: 231-41 K. Eldred, Poetry in Motion: The Snakes of Lucan, Helios 27 (2000): 63-74 Kubiak, Cornelia and Dido CQ 40 (1990), 577-578. 13 M. Nov. 17 Paper 2 Due (Rough Draft for W credit students) The Hero in Roman Art Liversridge, Virgil in Art in Cam. Companion to Virgil W. Nov. 19 Topic: The Longevity of the Classical Tradition H. Power. Chapter 5, Homer s Odyssey: a Reading Guide. R. Tarrant, Aspects of Virgil s Reception in antiquity, Cambridge Companion to Virgil D. Kennedy, Modern Receptions and their interpretations Cambridge Companion to Virgil F. Nov. 21 Oh Brother Where art Thou Assignment (No Class) 14 M. Nov. 24 Profile Project Due Topic: Troy and the movies M. Winkler, The Iliad and the Cinema G. Danek, The story of Troy through the Centuries W. Nov. 26 Thanksgiving F. Nov. 28 Thanksgiving 15 M. Dec. 1 Topic: Literary and Cinematic heroes of our times Lord of the Rings readings NPR Article on masculinity in cinema W. Dec. 3 Topic: Literary and Cinematic heroes of our times Star Wars F. Dec. 5 Wrapping up M. Dec. 8 Final draft for W credit students 5