Ascend - The Great Books Podcast: Episode Summary Episode Title: Why You Should Read the Greek Plays with Ascend
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Hosts: Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan

Introduction

In this episode of Ascend - The Great Books Podcast, hosts Deacon Harrison Garlick and Adam Minihan delve into the significance of Greek plays within the Great Books canon. The discussion centers on why these ancient texts remain relevant and essential for understanding the foundations of Western civilization. The episode also offers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming six-month journey through various Greek plays, highlighting their thematic richness and enduring impact.

Why Read the Greek Plays?

1. Part of the Great Books:
The hosts emphasize that Greek plays are integral to the Great Books collection, renowned for their profound commentary on the human condition. These plays explore timeless questions and themes such as justice, virtue, love, fate, and divinity, offering deep insights into what it means to be human.

"They're commenting on subjects such as justice, virtue, love, fate, divinity, and many other topics. And honestly, these are some of the best texts that were ever written."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [02:30]

2. Intellectual Bridge Between Homer and Plato:
Greek playwrights like Aeschylus and Sophocles serve as a crucial link between Homer’s epics and Plato’s philosophical dialogues. They expand upon Homeric themes with greater depth and refined language, laying the groundwork for the emergence of classical philosophy.

"They form an intellectual bridge between Homer and Plato... if you want to read Plato, and you want to read him, well, I think you need to read the Greek plays."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [07:45]

Upcoming Series and Play Previews

The episode outlines the schedule for the next six months, detailing the selection of Greek plays and their thematic explorations.

1. Hesiod's Theogony

Overview:
Hesiod’s Theogony explores the origins of the cosmos and the genealogy of the gods, offering a foundational understanding of Greek mythology and cosmology.

Key Themes:

• Eros as a Cosmic Force:
  Hesiod presents Eros (erotic love) as a primordial deity, the generative force that moves all things, a concept later echoed by Aristotle and Dante.

  "Hesiod really talks about Eros or erotic love... it's the generative force in reality."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [10:15]

• Zeus’s Characterization:
  The portrayal of Zeus in Theogony differs from Homeric depictions, providing a richer characterization that enhances the drama in Homer’s works.

• Cosmic Order:
  Hesiod’s structured account of divine lineage reflects a pre-scientific attempt to explain the cosmos’s order and rationality.

Guests: Dr. Frank Grabowski and Mr. Thomas Lackey
Translation: Hugh Evelyn White (Loeb Translation)

2. Aeschylus and the Oresteia

Overview:
Aeschylus, known as the father of tragedy, authored the Oresteia trilogy, which narrates the story of Orestes and explores themes of revenge, justice, and the evolution of societal laws.

Plays:

• Agamemnon:
  The story of Agamemnon’s tragic return from the Trojan War and his subsequent murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus.

  "Agamemnon tells a story that's between the Iliad and the Odyssey... teaching us about justice and suffering."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [15:30]

• Libation Bearers:
  Orestes avenges his father’s death, continuing the cycle of revenge and its moral implications.

• Eumenides:
  Aeschylus transforms the narrative from familial vengeance to political justice, introducing procedural law and the role of the polis.

Key Highlights:

• Evigenia Sacrifice:
  Aeschylus’s retelling of Iphigenia’s sacrifice offers a masterful exploration of human sacrifice and divine will.

  "It's one of the most horrific passages in Greek literature, the human sacrifice of Iphigenia."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [17:50]

Guests: Dr. Frank Grabowski and Mr. Thomas Lackey
Translation: Fagals Edition (Penguin Classics)

3. Sophocles' Theban Plays

Overview:
Sophocles’ Theban Plays—Antigone, Oedipus Rex, and Oedipus at Colonus—offer a profound exploration of fate, free will, and moral integrity through the tragic story of Oedipus.

Plays:

• Antigone:
  Focuses on Antigone’s moral conflict with King Creon over the burial rights of her brother, highlighting the struggle between familial duty and state law.

  "Antigone invites us to ask: how is the family, the polis, and the cosmos all aligned?"
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [24:00]

• Oedipus Rex:
  Often regarded by Aristotle as the quintessential tragedy, it delves into themes of destiny, self-discovery, and the limits of human understanding.

• Oedipus at Colonus:
  Explores the reconciliation of suffering and justice, depicting Oedipus’s final moments and the restoration of order.

Reading Order:
Plays are read in the order they were written (Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus) to trace Sophocles’ intellectual maturation.

Guests: David Niles and Eli Stone
Translation: Fagals Edition (Penguin Classics)

4. Euripides' Bacchae

Overview:
Euripides’ Bacchae presents a dark and complex portrayal of Dionysus, exploring themes of madness, divinity, and retribution.

Key Themes:

• Dionysus’s Dual Nature:
  Contrasts the jovial aspects of Dionysus with his wrathful and punishing side, setting the stage for Plato’s discussions on Eros.

  "The Bacchae provides a wonderful antecedent to Plato's Symposium, understanding Dionysus as a type of erotic love."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [28:15]

Guests: Dr. Frank Grabowski
Translation: William Arrowsmith

5. Aristophanes' Comedies

Overview:
Transitioning from tragedy to comedy, Aristophanes’ plays The Clouds and The Frogs offer satirical insights into contemporary Athenian society and intellectual life.

Plays:

• The Clouds:
  Satirizes Socrates and his philosophical pursuits, providing a comedic yet critical view that contrasts Plato’s portrayal of Socrates.

  "Aristophanes in The Clouds... sets up a wonderful antecedent for understanding Plato's Socrates."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [30:45]

• The Frogs:
  Depicts Dionysus’s quest to rescue Euripides from Hades, highlighting the role of poets as moral teachers for society.

  "The Frogs highlights that poets are teachers of the polis... it stresses that poets teach the polis things."
  —Deacon Harrison Garlick [32:10]

Guests: Dr. Zena Hitz and Tish Auctionrider
Translation: William Arrowsmith

Resources and Guides

Ascend offers a free 115 Question & Answer Guide to both the Iliad and the Odyssey, crafted by Deacon Harrison Garlick. These guides are designed to support individual or small group studies and will be available on the podcast’s website.

"To help you or your small group... We'll be reading Hesiod's the Theogony together."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [05:30]

Host Reflections and Personal Insights

Deacon Harrison Garlick shares his personal journey of reading Greek plays for the first time, expressing surprise and delight at their depth and relevance. He underscores the transformative impact these texts have had on his understanding of philosophy, particularly in bridging Homeric epics with Platonic dialogues.

"As a first time reader... I just got to tell you, it's worth it. It's worth reading them. It is worth your time."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [09:00]

Acknowledgments and Thank Yous

The episode concludes with heartfelt gratitude towards co-host Adam Minihan for his contributions during their year with Homer. Deacon also extends appreciation to listeners, supporters on Patreon, and contributors like Dr. Frank Grabowski, Mr. Thomas Lackey, David Niles, Eli Stone, and Tish Auctionrider. He highlights the community’s role in enabling the podcast’s growth and the enhancement of production quality.

"I deeply appreciate all of your support... It's been incredibly humbling."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [31:45]

Conclusion

Ascend - The Great Books Podcast positions the Greek plays as essential readings that not only enrich our understanding of ancient literature but also provide a critical foundation for engaging with classical philosophy. By navigating through these timeless works, listeners are invited to join a "great conversation" that has shaped Western thought for centuries.

"These authors are commenting on the human condition... Just beautiful, beautiful stories that I think are very much worth your time."
—Deacon Harrison Garlick [32:50]

Listeners are encouraged to follow the podcast on social media platforms such as X (Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, and join the Patreon community for exclusive guides and discussions. The journey through Hesiod’s Theogony marks the beginning of an enriching exploration into the heart of Greek tragedy, comedy, and beyond.

Stay Connected:

• Website: thegreatbookspodcast.com
• Social Media: Follow on X (Twitter), YouTube, and Facebook
• Support on Patreon: Access written guides and additional resources

Thank you for joining Ascend - The Great Books Podcast. We look forward to exploring the depths of Greek literature with you in the coming months.