CLGR 405(F) Greek Lyric Poetry
This course will explore the development of Greek lyric poetry from the eighth to the fifth centuries BCE. Beginning with Archilochus, Sappho, and Alcaeus, and proceeding through such poets as Solon, Anacreon, Ibycus, and Theognis, we will examine the formal, social, and performative contexts of lyric, the influence of epic and choral poetry on the evolution of the genre, and the difficulties of evaluating a fragmentary corpus. Finally, we will explore the influence of political and economic changes in the early fifth century on the work of Simonides. The goal throughout is to investigate the structures, innovations, and problems of poetic self-expression in early Greek poetry.
Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on class participation, a midterm exam, a final paper, and a final exam.
Prerequisites: Greek 201 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 5).
Hour: DEKEL