Fall 2002 469 (updated September 16, 2002)

  1. Note: These pages are subject to change
  2. See online syllabus for reading priorities
  3. See alternate online texts if you do not yet have the textbook
Thurs, Sept 5
Where comedy is found (not in order)
gamesdrunksnewspaper clippings
bothday cardssupid peopldschool
graffitwalking aoundfilms - cartoons
childrendrivingarguments - insults
accdientstv sitcomswork
churchfamily gatheringsadvertising
rutgerstv dramasick humor
mannerismsstandups - clubsmusic - musicals
readingpoliticsjokes
Aspects of comedy: (not in order) humor, laughter, happy ending, risqué/taboo, ridicule-mimcry-parody-satire-burlesque-travesty-mock, wit-sarcasm-allusions, juxtapositions/irony, opposite of tragedy, surprise, lighthearted-silly-frivolous
Assignments: For Monday, Sept 9: Start reading Lysistrata and consider diction issues. Do personal inventory/notes on 5-10 places where comedy is found. Optional: discuss 1 or more aspects of comedy

Sept 9
Work done:Lysistrata


Sept 12
Work done:Lysistrata translations
Handouts: Menaechmi (photocopy)


Sept 16
Assignments: Read first half of Plautus, Menaechmi
Text is available in class as photocopy handout
For Thurs, Sept 19: (informal)
  • Name ten different things that you find comic, funny, or humorous in Lysistrata.
  • Can you explain why these things are comic, funny, or humorous?

    Sept 19
    Work done:
    Assignments: Finish reading Menaechmi, Charney, Ch 1
    For Mon, Sept 23: (informal)
  • Name ten different comic, funny, or humorous things in Menaechmi that were not in Lysistrata.
  • Can you explain why you find these elememts in Menaechmi to be comic, funny, or humorous?

    Sept 23
    Work done:
    Assignments: Finish reading Charney, Ch. 1 Begin reading Mandragola (in Eight Comedies)
    For Thurs, Sept 26: Options for Short Paper I (2-4 pp).
  • Rewrite a scene in Aristophanes or Plautus using contemporary settings/dialogue.
  • Do you find the comedy, laughter, or humor in Lysistrata similar to or different from comparable elements in Menaechmi? In other words, would you rather compare them or contrast them?
  • Can you develop the grounds for your view into some generalizations about comedy? Please point to specific passages and cite actual page references


    Sept 26
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    Sept 30
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    October 2002

    Sept Oct 2
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    7 10
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    14 17
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    21 24
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    28 31
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    November 2002
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    4 Th
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    11 14
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    18 21
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    25 [28]
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    December 2002
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    2 5
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    9 12
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    16 19