The Political Art of Greek Tragedy - Hardcover

Meier, Professor Christian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801847273 ISBN 13: 9780801847271

Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993

Synopsis

According to Christian Meier, one of Germany's leading classicists, a Greek tragedy cannot be considered simply a work of art or a reflection of ancient modes of thought. He argues that it is essential to understand tragedy's interaction with the practiceof Greek democracy. In The Political Art of Greek Tragedy he focuses on the works of Aeschylus to examine the close relationship between drama and politics at the beginning of the great age of Greek tragedy.

"Christian Meier has produced an outstanding new account of the politics of Athenian tragedy, interpreting `political' broadly and illuminating Athenian religious ritual and theatrical experience by a systematic and subtle use of the comparative method."--Paul Cartledge, Clare College, Cambridge.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

In this outstanding new book, Christian Meier examines the close relationship between drama and politics at the beginning of the great age of Greek tragedy, focusing on the works of Aeschylus.

The author examines the political, social and even psychological problems of the inhabitants of fifth-century Athens, during a time of rapid change. Through the role of festivals and the role of the festival of Dionysus in particular, Meier moves on to the interpretation of Aeschylus' plays. He shows how the political statements of the mythical characters made sense of and even influenced the politics of the day. Finally, he discusses the work of Sophocles in counterpoint to the plays of Aeschylus.

This book will be of interest to students and academics of history, particularly the history of the ancient world, as well as those studying literature and drama.

Language Notes:

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

About this edition

• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0801847273
• ISBN 13: 9780801847271
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 248