Virgil and the Epic Tradition

Code

CLAR3067

School

Classics and Archaeology

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module involves a detailed study of Virgil's Latin epic poem, the Aeneid, in English translation, and focuses on its interactions with the epic genre. The Aeneid was always and immediately characterised as a 'great' poem: how does Virgil react against his predecessors to carve out his own literary territory? How is the Aeneid received and re-used by poets and other artists down the ages? Themes will include: career and poetics; Homer and Apollonius; reception in later epic (Roman imperial, Neo-Latin, Milton); politics and identity; games and reality; gender and genre; vision and spectacle.

Target Students

The module is particularly designed forYear 2andYear 3students in the Department of Classics and Archaeology, especially Classical Civilisation Single and Joint Honours students, but may also appeal to anyone studying epic poetry in ancient or modern languages.

Classes

• One 2-hour seminar each week for 5 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

20 lectures and 5 2-hr seminars

Assessment

• 60% Coursework 1: 3000-word essay
• 40% Exam 1 (24-hour): Take Home Exam - 1 -hr exam to be done over 24hr period

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

(1) Knowledge and understanding of the Aeneid; to be tested by identification, analysis and discussion of passages from the text in detail. 

(2) Recognition, evaluation and engagement with secondary approaches to the Aeneid and the epic tradition. 

(3) The ability to situate the Aeneid in its generic, historical and political context. 

(4) Exploration of the relationship between the Aeneid and its predecessors and successors in the epic genre.

Conveners

• Professor Helen Lovatt