Cristina Pace (Università degli studi Roma “Tor Vergata”)
This paper aims to illustrate an educational experience in an Italian prison (Casa Circondariale di Rebibbia, in Rome) based on Greek tragedy, as part of a university project: the author organized reading and discussion groups concerning tragedy and justice, together with inmates (convicted of mafia, camorra, ‘ndrangheta groups etc.) and ‘external’ university students. In fact, some inmates were especially interested in Ancient Theatre because of the presence in Rebibbia of a very good theatre workshop (cf. the film “Cesare deve morire” shot in 2012 by V. and P. Taviani).
In Italy there are many good examples of prison-based theatre (e.g. the Coordinamento nazionale teatro in carcere: http://www.teatrocarcere.it/) and ancient drama is often at the heart of these activities.
Moreover, inmates are occasionally involved in projects in which they are encouraged to read and interpret a Greek tragedy autonomously, as well as producing ideas on and solutions for sensitive topics (like justice), starting from ancient texts (such as Oresteia, Antigone, Philoctetes).
Alongside theatrical expression, educational experiences like this one can demonstrate how effective and powerful classics are in fostering self-reflection and personal development (cf. Capettini – Rabinowitz 2021). As Simone Weil said, it is a shame that these ancient texts are usually known by a chosen few, because they could easily speak to people who have known struggle and suffering in life. However, this is only possible if our methods are authentically democratic and inclusive.
Furthermore, the experience of teaching the classics in marginalized social contexts such as prisons spurs us to experiment with new methods of teaching the classics that can be implemented anywhere.