“you big men with your big words
pay a big price for that
but in the end
you learn wisdom too
even you”

Moderated by Dr. Sara Brill, this program brings together three feminist scholars who grapple with ancient Greek texts: Dr. Yurie Hong, Gustavus Adolphus College; Dr. Kalliopi Nikolopoulou, University of Buffalo; and Dr. Danielle Layne, Gonzaga University.

21st Century Women and Ancient Greek Tragedy

Curated by Martha S. LoMonaco, Katherine A. Schwab, and Sara Brill

Antigone, Iphigenia, Medea―some of the most captivating figures in western drama―are title roles in ancient Greek tragedies. These formidable characters were wholly the creation of men since women could not write plays nor perform in public during the Golden Age of Greek Theatre in the 5th century B.C.E. On stage, these women, originally played by male actors, enjoyed central roles but, like their real life counterparts, were vulnerable and held no power outside the home. Yet, their power as characters has enthralled audiences for 25 centuries and has inspired women, and anyone who has struggled to gain rights and privileges throughout the world, to acts of great courage and determination.

21st Century Women and Ancient Greek Tragedy is sponsored by the Fairfield University Humanities Institute.

Photo credit: Plaster Cast, head of Wounded Amazon, Fairfield University Plaster Cast Collection. Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art