AIAS Seminar: 'Greek Tragedy and Human Rights: The Case of Ireland'

Abstract

Irish authors have produced numerous versions of Greek tragedy since the partition of the island in 1921. This project argues that the political artform of Greek tragedy has allowed Irish artists, including filmmakers, to agitate for human rights and address failings of the state (both Irish and British) over the past century. Topics include the right to Irish as a native language, rights to land, the right to bodily autonomy, equality for ethnic minorities, and the protection of children.

Short Bio

Isabelle Torrance is Professor of Classical Reception at the Department of English, and Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at Aarhus University, Denmark. From 2019-2026, she was Principal Investigator on the ERC-funded project Classical Influences and Irish Culture. She has published extensively on Graeco-Roman literature and its reception in later historical periods, especially in Ireland. Recent publications include the collaborative volumes Classics and Irish Politics, 1916-2016 (Oxford, 2020), Classical Antiquity and Medieval Ireland (Bloomsbury, 2024, pb. 2026), Graeco-Roman Influences in Irish Visual and Material Culture, Classics Ireland 31 (2024, special issue), Irish Migrations and Classical Antiquity (Bloomsbury, 2025 online, 2026 hb). She is a former AIAS fellow (2016-19) and a member of the AIAS Advisory Board.

What is an AIAS Seminar?

The AIAS Seminar Series is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows, AIAS Visiting or Tandem Fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, a fellow will present and discuss her/his current research and work-in-progress to an interdisciplinary audience for 30 minutes, closing off with 30 minutes for questions, comments and discussion.

All seminars are in-person and held in English. To attend online, please contact us at info@aias.au.dk by 9:00am on the day of the seminar as the latest to request a link.