No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

My thesis examines the evolution of Clytemnestra’s characterization throughout the generations of receptions of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. This diachronic study investigates how Clytemnestra’s complex use of gender, specifically her use of masculinity, allows her character to be understood in a different light by a modern audience in contrast to the original perception of her character in antiquity. In analysing the aspects that contribute to Clytemnestra’s ancient characterization, which display her to be dangerously masculine to a fifth-century male audience, the meaning behind her behaviour is also revealed, as it opens a discussion on masculinity in Athens through Clytemnestra’s emasculation of the men around her. The true depth of her character is revealed through a study of Clytemnestra’s modern characterization, as modern audiences are able to recognize the sympathetic aspects of her character in the text, which are reflected through the various feminist adaptations and performances today. The paradox of Clytemnestra’s characterization demonstrates the impact that she has not only on the plot of the play, but also on its survival, as her complexity is what continues to engage audiences in modernity. The findings of this thesis will demonstrate the importance of female characters in Greek tragedy through examining the various layers of Clytemnestra’s character that are uncovered by comparing her characterization in antiquity and modernity, thus proving that her figure, and tragedy overall, has the ability to evolve and influence audiences yet to come through the impact of these dynamic women. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

The Eternal Boy is a Greek Tragedy that considers the consequences of the Great God Pan’s death.

Ce travail propose une étude de la poétique de la douleur, tant physique et morale, dans certaines œuvres choisies de la poésie grecque archaïque et classique. Il démontre comment la douleur remplit une fonction essentielle dans les œuvres étudiées, en tant que moteur de l’action et mode de caractérisation des personnages, ainsi que par les liens qu’elle établit avec les thèmes centraux plus larges. L’étude de la poétique à proprement parler permet par ailleurs d’examiner en arrière-plan la question historico-culturelle de la valeur éthique et sociale de la douleur. Trois œuvres servent de cas d’étude: l’Iliade d’Homère (le livre V en particulier), l’Orestie d’Eschyle (principalement l’Agamemnon), et le Philoctète de Sophocle. Le premier chapitre traite de la douleur divine dans l’Iliade, en contraste avec celle des simples mortels. Le deuxième chapitre propose de réexaminer la question de la douleur et du chagrin de la perte dans l’Orestie d’Eschyle, en portant une attention particulière à la nature perverse de la souffrance maternelle de Clytemnestre. Le troisième et dernier chapitre examine la représentation de la douleur dans le Philoctète de Sophocle, et le caractère ambigu de la souffrance du héros, en analysant comment celle-ci sert à la fois de menace et de catalyseur de l’humanité de la victime souffrante elle-même et de ses témoins. / The present study offers an exploration of selected representations of physical and moral pain in archaic and classical Greek poetry, with a focus on the poetics. The analysis centers on the extent to which depictions of pain fulfill a central role in the works selected, as motor of the plot, instrumental mode of characterization, and link to key overarching themes. In the course of the examination of its poetic function, the cultural-historical question of pain’s ethical and social value emerges as a dominant background axis of investigation. Three works serve as case studies: the Homeric Iliad (book V in particular), Aeschylus’ Oresteia (mainly the Agamemnon), and Sophocles’ Philoctetes. The first chapter deals with the portrayal of divine pain in the Iliad, by contrasting it with that of mortals. The second chapter seeks to offer a better understanding of the portrayals of pain and loss in Aeschylus’ Oresteia, with particular focus on the perverse nature of Clytemnestra’s maternal suffering. The third and final chapter turns to the representation of pain in Sophocles’ Philoctetes and the ambivalence of the eponymous hero’s suffering, analyzing how it serves both as a threat and a catalyst to the humanity of the sufferer himself and that of his witnesses.

The study of old age in the humanities has developed significantly in the last few decades, but there is still much scope for progress. This thesis, therefore, seeks to contribute to the growing academic discourse in this area by considering ageing as it is represented in ancient Greek theatre. At the same time, it seeks to take its place within Classical Studies by developing new readings of the plays. To develop a context for its analysis, this study begins with consideration of the contemporary demographics, social position, and stage portrayal of old age, and following this dedicates a chapter to each of the four surviving fifth century dramatists. In Aiskhylos’ Agamemnon, old age emerges as a crucial element in choral self-identity, and an important component of the authority that they display. Following this, the thesis considers the chorus of Euripides’ Herakles, in particular its use of metadramatic language, and the impact this has on plot-development and the representation of their age. The next chapter, on Oidipous Koloneus, shifts to consideration of the protagonist. The old age of Oidipous emerges as a powerful driver of his mental and spiritual power, and forms a striking background to the exploration of his character. The final chapter of the thesis examines how mechanisms of renewal that old men undergo in Aristophanes’ comedies (Knights, Akharnians, Peace, Wasps, Birds) differ across the dramas, and the impact this difference has on their interpretations. Such reassessments of ancient dramatic texts through the lens of old age can provide significant insight into the complexity of old men’s characterisations and of their involvement in the dramas. At the same time (from a gerontological perspective), this thesis’ analysis contributes to the developing discussion of the history of ageing, and highlights the differences between the ancient and modern worlds in this respect.

Cette étude porte sur les utilisations de l'intertextualité comme procédé dramaturgique dans Hécube et Les Troyennes d'Euripide. Les intertextes considérés sont les épopées homériques et l'Agamemnon d'Eschyle. Après une présentation des problèmes posés par le recours à la notion d' "intertextualité" dans le domaine de la littérature grecque antique, et plus particulièrement du théâtre grec antique, chaque pièce fait l'objet d'une étude approfondie. Les chapitres I à IV portent sur les stasima des deux pièces et posent la question du fonctionnement de l'intertextualité dans la parole lyrique du choeur. Les stasima sont envisagés dans une perspective unificatrice qui vise à mettre en lumière leur rôle de fil directeur dans les deux tragédies. Les chapitres suivants portent sur des passages étendus des deux pièces. L'utilisation de l'intertextualité dans la représentation du sacrifice de Polyxène fait l'objet du chapitre V tandis que le chapitre VI porte sur la double allusion intertextuelle (à l'Odyssée et à l'Agamemnon) mise en place par Euripide pour représenter le vengeance d'Hécube (Hécube). Les chapitres VII et VIII s'intéressent aux Troyennes : d'abord à la scène de Cassandre, comparée à la scène de l'Agamemnon d'Eschyle dont elle constitue une sorte de réécriture ; puis à la scène d'Hélène, où Euripide construit les tensions de son agôn à partir d'un passage précis du chant III de l'Iliade - qu'il rend volontairement encore plus problématique qu'il ne l'est chez Homère à travers les discours de ses deux personnages. La conclusion présente les résultats de cette enquête quant au fonctionnement et quant à diverses fonctions possibles de l'intertextualité dans la tragédie grecque. / This study investigates the question of how intertextuality is used as a dramaturgical device in Euripides' Hecuba and Troades. The intertexts considered here are the Homeric epics and Aeschylus' Agamemnon. After a presentation of the poblems raised by the use of the notion of "intertextuality" in the field of ancient Greek literature, and more specifically Greek theatre, the two dramas are each studied in depth. Chapters I to IV are concerned with the stasima of these plays and raise the question of the specific manner in which intertextuality is inscribed in the lyrical language of the chorus. The stasima are considered from a global perspective in order to highlight their function as a guiding thread running through each drama. The following chapters deal with extended portions of Hecuba and Troades. The use of intertextuality in the representation of the sacrifice of Polyxena is studied in chapter V, whereas chapter VI deals with the double intertextual allusion (both to the Odyssey and to the Agamemnon) engaged in by Euripides in his representation of Hecuba's revenge (in Hecuba). Chapters VII and VIII are about the Troades, focusing firstly on the Cassandra scene, which is compared with the Cassandra scene in Aeschylus' Agamemnon, reworked here by Euripides. Secondly there is the scene involving Helen, where Euripides builds up the tensions of the agôn by basing it on a precise passage of Iliad III - which, in the light of the positions taken by the two characters, he purposely renders even more problematic than it is in Homer. The conclusion presents the results of this inquiry into the functioning and possible purposes of intertextuality in Greek tragedy

This paper is focused on the concept of catharsis in classic Greek tragedy. In the first part, it traces historical context of this term particularly trough the work of Plato; and later, the main effort is devoted to Aristotle. It looks closely in Aristotle's Poetics and Politics, which are the only works where he mentions catharsis. After research of the Aristotle's texts, the study presents variety of interpretations that have arisen over centuries, examines them and derives an elementary understanding of catharsis. The second part of this work tries to trace catharsis in a sample of preserved tragedies of main Greek dramatists. It investigates tragic characters, plot and tragic emotions (i.e. pity and fear). The scope is to compare the Aristotle's theory and practice of dramatists, who lived one century before the theory had rised. Last but not least the study concludes by bringing forward an evaluation of this approach to the theory of Aristotelian catharsis.

La notion de l’agir en Grèce ancienne a, dans les études grecques au XXème siècle, fait l’objet d’un débat important, fondé sur des textes philosophiques – avant tout Aristote – et littéraires – particulièrement Homère et la tragédie grecque. Le débat porte sur la prise de position du lecteur moderne face au traitement antique de cette notion, entre familiarité et sentiment d’étrangeté. L’alternative suivante se présente en effet à lui : la conception grecque de l’agir lui est-elle familière, en ce qu’elle est à l’origine de la notion occidentale, ou est-elle devenue absolument étrangère ? Le philologue allemand Bruno Snell et le philosophe français Jean-Pierre Vernant ont apporté des contributions fondamentales à ce sujet.Dans la présente thèse de doctorat, les positions des deux chercheurs sont comparées à lueur de leurs méthodes – « Geistesgeschichte », histoire de l’esprit et « Wortphilologie », philologie du mot, pour Snell, psychologie historique, sociologie, anthropologie et structuralisme chez Vernant. Par ailleurs, la thèse analyse dans quelle mesure leurs contributions s’ancrent dans les traditions nationales respectives des études grecques. Cette réflexion est particulièrement intéressante dans le cas de Bruno Snell et de Jean-Pierre Vernant qui pratiquaient la recherche de manière explicitement interdisciplinaire et internationale. Bruno Snell et Jean-Pierre Vernant sont d’éminentes personnalités des études grecques de la seconde moitié du vingtième siècle. Ils n’inspirèrent point simplement leur propre champ de recherche mais eurent en tant qu’intellectuels au sens zolien, une influence politique et sociale. / The notion of acting in ancient Greece was intensely discussed in the field of ancient Greek scholarship during the 20th century on the basis of philosophical texts – above all by Aristotle – and literary texts – particularly by Homer and the Greek tragedy. The debate revolves around the position of the modern reader with regard to the ancient notion, between estrangement and familiarity. He is faced with the following alternative: is the Greek conception of acting familiar to him, being the source of the western one, or has it become absolutely alien to him? The German philologist Bruno Snell and the French philosopher Jean-Pierre Vernant have made fundamental contributions to this debate.This PhD compares the positions of both researchers with regard to their methodologies – Snell’s « Geistesgeschichte », history of the spirit and « Wortphilologie », philology of the word, and Vernant’s historical psychology, sociology, anthropology and structuralism. Moreover, this dissertation analyses to what extent their contributions are rooted in the respective national traditions of ancient Greek scholarship. This reflection is particularly interesting in the case of Bruno Snell and Jean-Pierre Vernant, as they both pursued an explicitly international and interdisciplinary approach to research. Bruno Snell and Jean-Pierre Vernant are eminent classical scholars of the second half of the twentieth century. Not only did they inspire their own field of research through their work, but they also exerted a strong social and political influence as intellectuals in the sense of Emile Zola. / Die Frage nach dem Begriff des Handelns bei den Griechen wurde in der Klassischen Philologie des 20. Jahrhunderts anhand philosophischer (vor allem Aristoteles) und literarischer Texte (vor allem Homer und der griechischen Tragödie) stark debattiert. Gegenstand dieser Debatte ist die Haltung des heutigen Lesers gegenüber der antiken Auffassung dieses Begriffs, zwischen Vertrautheit und Fremdheit. Dabei stellt sich folgende Frage: Steht uns heute das griechische Konzept des Handelns nah, als Ursprung des abendländischen Konzeptes, oder ist es uns ganz und gar fremd geworden? Der deutsche Altphilologe Bruno Snell und der französische Philosoph Jean-Pierre Vernant haben zu diesem Thema relevante und bedeutende Beiträge geleistet. Die Positionen des deutschen und des französischen Wissenschaftlers werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit in Bezug auf ihre jeweilige Methodik − Geistesgeschichte und Wortphilologie bei Snell, historische Psychologie, Soziologie, Anthropologie und Strukturalismus bei Vernant − verglichen. Darüber hinaus wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern ihre Beiträge in ihrer jeweiligen Wissenschaftstradition verwurzelt sind. Diese Fragestellung ist im Falle Snells und Vernants von besonderem Interesse, da beide explizit eine überfachliche und internationale Auffassung von Wissenschaft vertreten. Bruno Snell und Jean-Pierre Vernant sind bedeutende Persönlichkeiten der Gräzistik der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts; sie haben nicht nur ihr Fach durch ihre Forschung geprägt, sondern hatten − als Intellektuelle im Sinne Zolas − auch gesellschaftlich und politisch großen Einfluss. / La questione della nozione del agire presso gli antichi Greci fu l’oggetto di un dibattito importante nella filologia classica del Novecento, fondato sia su testi filosofici (sopratutto Aristotele) che letterari (innanzitutto Omero e la tragedia greca). L’argomento del dibattito è la presa di posizione del lettore moderno di fronte alla nozione antica, fra estraniamento e confidenza. Sorge dunque la domanda seguente: ci risulta familiare la nozione greca del agire, in quanto origine della nozione occidentale, oppure è diventata assolutamente estranea per noi? Il filologo tedesco Bruno Snell e il filosofo francese Jean-Pierre Vernant hanno portato contributi fondamentali a questo argomento. Nella tesi di dottorato, le posizioni dei due scientifici vengono comparate rispetto ai loro metodi – « Geistesgeschichte », storia dello spirito e « Wortphilologie », filologia della parola, presso Snell, psicologia storica, sociologia, antropologia e strutturalismo presso Vernant. Inoltre, la tesi esamina quanto i loro contributi siano radicati nelle tradizioni scientifiche nazionali. Questa problematica è particolarmente interessante nel caso di Snell e Vernant, siccome tutti e due adottavano esplicitamente una concezione interdisciplinaria e internazionale della scienza. Bruno Snell e Jean-Pierre Vernant sono eminenti personalità della filologia greca della seconda metà del Novecento; non hanno solamente ispirato il loro campo di ricerca, ma avevano – come intellettuali nel senso di Zola – anche un’influenza sociale e politica.