Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics

Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. Now she standing up in the name of Greek writer Lucian. Expect to hear about the possible origins of 'The Life of Brian', the possible inspiration for Mickey Mouse and a trip to the moon about a thousand years before NASA. With special guests:Professor Edith Hall Writer and broadcaster Matthew Sweet. Producer: Mary Ward-LoweryFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2017.

Dive into the intriguing world of Sappho, the mysterious Greek poet whose life and work continue to captivate. Discover the emotional depth of her poetry and the societal constraints she faced. Explore how her fragments resonate with modern themes of love and identity. Guests share their personal connections to Sappho’s work, highlighting her lasting legacy. The discussion also critiques translations that miss the essence of her identity, inviting listeners to reconsider the stories of historical female writers.

In this engaging discussion, Llewelyn Morgan, a literary expert, unveils the bold world of Ovid, a trailblazer of love poetry in ancient Rome. They dive into Ovid's playful subversion of romance, revealing his complex portrayal of women and the intertwined themes of beauty and violence. Morgan also sheds light on Ovid's dramatic exile, connecting it to the deep yearning found in his poetry. From metamorphosis tales to the artistic legacies that sprung from his work, this conversation is a captivating journey through Ovid's timeless influence on literature and art.

Dive into the antics of Aristophanes, the master of old comedy. Explore the hilarity of 'Lysistrata,' where women declare a sex strike against war. Delight in the quirky chorus of frogs and how it mirrors gender dynamics, connecting ancient issues to modern movements. Discover the sharp political satire that critiqued contemporary figures like Cleon, featuring absurd trials and family feuds. Finally, reflect on how Aristophanes' legacy intertwines with philosophy, showcasing the timelessness of comedy's exploration of societal woes.

Dive into the powerful world of Agrippina the Younger, a formidable figure in Ancient Rome. Explore her incredible family ties, from Emperor Augustus to her son, Nero. Discover how she wielded financial prowess to shape the Empire and survived an assassination attempt involving a collapsible boat. The podcast critiques historical biases against ambitious women while examining Agrippina's ruthless strategies and complex relationship with Nero. It also draws intriguing parallels between her life and portrayals of maternal figures in 1960s cinema.

In this engaging discussion, Edith Hall, a Professor of Classics at King’s College London and expert in ancient Greek literature, delves into the complexities of Plato. She humorously reveals Plato’s imperfections, like his bad eyesight and weight, while celebrating his wrestling prowess. The conversation explores his distinctive prose and the intriguing theory of Forms using relatable examples, such as chairs. Hall also examines how societal standards of perfection, shaped by Platonic thought, impact modern self-worth and happiness.

Meet Aspasia, the woman who broke all the rules in ancient Greece. Explore how writers and comedians used Aspasia's reputation to attack statesman Pericles. Learn about the contrasting portrayal of Aspasia in the Vatican Museum and Pericles' devotion to her. Discover Aspasia's remarkable life and her influence on philosophical dialogues. Explore the challenges of portraying Aspasia in comedy through examples from Aristophanes' play and a hypothetical portrayal of Barbara Streisand in the future.

Natalie Haynes, critic, writer and reformed stand-up comedian, brings the ancient world entertainingly up to date. In each episode, she profiles a figure from ancient Greece or Rome and creates a stand-up routine around them. She then goes in search of the links which make the ancient world still very relevant in the 21st century. For starters, Natalie considers the work of the Roman poet Virgil, ranging from his hints on bee-keeping to his great work The Aeneid. Dido is the classic wronged woman and the Aeneid contains the best ding-dong between a man and a woman in all Latin literature, culminating in Dido’s memorable promise “If you go I’m going to kill myself and then I will pursue you from beyond death with black fires!” With Pamela Helen Stephen who's sung Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, bee-keeper Gordon Cutting and Dr Llewelyn Morgan who talks about the greatest poet in the Roman world. Producer: Christine Hall.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2014.

Professor Edith Hall, an expert in ancient Greek literature from King's College London, takes listeners on a journey through the life and works of Sophocles. They explore how Sophocles revolutionized drama with multi-character plays, touching on themes of fate and personal responsibility in 'Oedipus the King'. The discussion also delves into the paradox of Sophocles’ happiness amidst tragedy, while drawing connections between ancient narratives and modern detective stories, revealing timeless truths about flawed heroes.

Martin Rowson, a renowned satirical cartoonist, and Victoria Rimell, an expert in Roman literature, dive into the world of Petronius, the Roman satirist. They discuss how satire serves as a powerful tool against political oppression, drawing parallels between ancient and modern humor. The infamous 'Feast of Trimalchio' reveals the excesses of Roman society, sprinkled with sharp irony. The risks faced by political satirists today, akin to Petronius’s fate, underscore the significance of critical humor across history.