The American comic tradition starts here. Raunchy comedies like Bridesmaids or American Pie, melodramatic sitcoms like Modern Family, and super-"meta" shows like Parks and Rec ultimately find their roots in the raunchy comedy of Aristophanes, the melodramatic sitcoms of Menander, and the often-"meta" plays of Plautus and Terence. This class will involve the reading (in translation), discussion, and performance of some of these playwrights' weirdest and funniest plays, culminating in public presentation (by you!) of adaptations of plays. |