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Honors: The Afterlife of the GRMN 20973 Fall 2008 (T-Th 9:30-10:50am) Office hours: TBA
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The Greco-Roman tradition is so integrated into Western culture that we often take it for granted. The classical tradition's longevity in the West is paralleled only by the biblical tradition. Indeed, in Europe at least, the classical tradition is even older. That tradition is a shared element in the West. We read mythology in school. We have Oedipus complexes. Political pundits include references to Plato in editorials to bestow authority on their pronouncements. Ionic columns can be found on grandiose capitol buildings as well as schools and fire stations. The classics have also infiltrated popular culture. Mythic and classical historical figures stand beside comic book type super heroes: from Disney’s Hercules movie to syndicated television’s own version of Hercules (with accompanying toy figures) and a newly invented female character of equal prowess named Xena; on the big screen we wander the world with Kirk Douglas as Odysseus and the glib-tongued character played by George Clooney in O brother where art thou; Homer is rewritten by such people as Joyce and Barth and Walcott. While the German Heinrich Schliemann, the 19th century discoverer of ancient Troy, idolized Homer’s heroes, a whole host of German writers after WWII read Homer through the disillusion of many a returning soldier. The mighty walls of Troy are no match for Brad Pitt as Achilles; while one modern psychiatrist sees in the Iliad narrations eerily similar to those told by Vietnam vets. If the question of influence is posed, it usually concerns the influence of the Greeks on us. However, we will examine examples from literature, film, architecture, art, psychology, philosophy, and archaeology that are not just a recuperation of the past but also a critical appropriation of it. We use the past to understand our present. |
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