In this course, we will study three literary genres—Roman comedy, historiography, and elegy - each with its own characteristic view of women, from comedy’s scolding wives and young lovers, to history’s villains and heroines, to elegy’s mistresses. Taking into account authorial perspective, context, language, and style, we will identify how male authors in different genres construct woman as the imagined “other” in society. From Plautus to Ovid, we examine the ways a literary genre reflects cultural perceptions of women and gender in Roman society from Republic to Empire.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Prerequisites: LAT 202 (or equivalent) - or a 300-level Latin course, or Wellesley's placement exam and permission of the instructor.

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall; Not Offered; Spring