Aeschylus’ Oresteia is an ancient Greek tragedy of revenge, violent familial strife, and justice. Written in the 5th century BCE, it is a trilogy of plays that begins with the character of Agamemnon and the story of how he was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, after returning home from the Trojan war; and how his son, Orestes, killed Clytemnestra in turn, condemning Orestes to be forever tormented by the Furies. Two thousand years later, Jean-Paul Sartre reimagined this story through his work The Flies, adding his own existentialist theme to it. How do the two works compare to one another? In this discussion-based classics course, we will read and discuss both stories, exploring them not only in relation to one another, but also in relation to the times in which they were written. What does Oresteia’s story have to do with the democracy emerging in Athens at the time? What is the significance of the court trial in the story? Why would Sartre take this ancient tragedy and rewrite it for a 20th-century audience? How did he use Orestes’ journey as a platform to express his own ideas about existentialism?
Required texts:
Participants must obtain a copy of the required texts at the bookstore or library of their choice.
Standard Tuition: $210.00
New Participant Tuition: $150.00
Day:Â Wednesdays
Time:Â 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Location:Â 3405 Atwater Ave
Course leaders:Â Paul Billette
Please note that in the case of extenuating circumstances (e.g. a snowstorm) an in-person course may be temporarily held on Zoom.
First session:Â January 13 2027
Course length:Â 12 weeks
Degree credit:Â 3
Maximum number of participants: 18
Please note that the Thomas More Institute does not allow participants to audit courses for free.
About the Thomas More Institute: The Thomas More Institute has been providing adults with stimulating lifelong learning opportunities in Montreal since 1945. A secular and non-profit academic institution, TMI offers an ever-evolving choice of university-level courses in the liberal arts, including discussion-based courses, lecture-style courses, writing workshops, and more. Our courses are held in small groups, offering an alternative learning environment to that of traditional university courses. You can take individual courses that interest you, or work toward a structured bachelor of arts degree or comprehensive certificate that involve additional coursework. Share Your Curiosity at TMI!
About course fees: all prices displayed include Tuition and the Administrative fee.
Leaders of another course, and anyone else wishing to register by phone, should call (514) 935-9585 to register.
All course participants registering should read and abide by the Thomas More Institute Code of Conduct.
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