On completion of this module students should be able to:

*demonstrate detailed critical knowledge of a range of ancient and modern plays, and of the relationship between them;
*examine and evaluate modern criticism on the subject;
*critically discuss the theoretical aspects of reception studies;
*give an oral presentation about an aspect of the subject;
*contribute constructively to discussion of oral presentations on the subject;
*construct analytical and appropriately presented papers showing a capacity for independent thought about the subject.

Indicative seminar list

Week

1. Introduction
2. Reception theory
3. Commentaries: Heaney, The Burial at Thebes
4. Commentaries: Heaney, The Burial at Thebes
5. Commentaries: McGuinness, Oedipus
6. Commentaries: McGuinness, Oedipus
7. Seminar papers
8. Seminar papers
9. Seminar papers
10. Seminar papers

The commentary should examine in detail a short passage from Seamus Heaney’s The Burial at Thebes or Frank McGuinness’ Oedipus. For The Burial at Thebes, students may choose one of the following passages: the opening scene (Antigone 1–99), Creon’s speeches (Antigone 162–210, 473–96), Antigone’s farewell (Antigone 806–928), the Creon and Tiresias scene (988–1090). For Oedipus, students may choose one of the following passages: Oedipus’ speech (OT 216–75), the Tiresias scene (OT 300–462), the final scene (OT 1223–1530). The commentary should pay particular attention to style, including comparison with a range of other translations, but wider issues may also be discussed.

The seminar paper should discuss one modern Irish play, or a number of plays (no more than three) based on a single Greek original. It should not be exclusively on Heaney’s The Burial at Thebes or McGuinness’ Oedipus, although it could include either of these plays in a wider discussion.

Indicative secondary reading

Arkins, B., Hellenising Ireland: Greek and Roman Themes in Modern Irish Literature (Newbridge, 2005)
Dillon, J. & Wilmer, S.E., Rebel Women: Staging Ancient Greek Drama Today (London, 2005)
Lloyd, M., ‘Brian Friel’s Greek tragedy: narrative, drama, and fate in Living Quarters’, Irish University Review 30/2 (2000), 244–53
McDonald, M. & Walton, J.M., Amid Our Troubles: Irish Versions of Greek Tragedy (London, 2002)
Macintosh, F., Dying Acts: Death in Ancient Greek and Modern Irish Tragic Drama (Cork, 1994)
Murray, C., ‘Three Irish Antigones’, in J. Genet & R.A. Cave (eds.), Perspectives of Irish Drama and Theatre (Irish Literary Studies, 33; Gerrard’s Cross, 1991), 115–29
Roche, A.V., ‘Ireland’s Antigones: tragedy North and South’, in M. Kenneally (ed.), Cultural Contexts and Literary Idioms in Contemporary Irish Literature (Gerrard’s Cross, 1988), 221–50

Students should have some experience of studying drama at 3rd level, preferably Greek tragedy and/or Irish drama.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Students will receive detailed individual formative and summative feedback on their written work.