Notes on the Text of Aeschylus (Classic Reprint)

E. S. Hoernle

ISBN 10: 1332092160 / ISBN 13: 9781332092161

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book offers methods to critique Aeschylus, the first great playwright of theatre, whose work has survived for over two thousand years. Scholars have struggled to come to critical consensus due to the large number of errors in the transmission of his texts, the difficulty of his language, and the complexity of his style. The author, the leading expert in Aeschylus, provides a historical framework to situate Aeschylus's work relative to other great playwrights, and an overview of the types of errors made by ancient scribes, as well as the kinds of liberties they allowed themselves when copying texts. The author also provides a new interpretation of Aeschylus's metrical innovations, and explores the typical grammatical constructions and turns of phrase used by Aeschylus. To illustrate his approach, he provides close readings of key texts. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781332092161_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Notes on the Text of Aeschylus (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1332092160
• ISBN 13: 9781332092161
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Ancient and Medieval Drama

About this title

Synopsis

Hook line : A practical guide to reconstructing ancient drama from corrupt manuscripts.

This nonfiction work teaches readers how editors approach damaged texts, using Aeschylus as a central case study. It explains common copyist errors, from skipped words to swapped syllables, and discusses how scholars judge when a reading is truly corrupt. The book also explores two unique challenges: the form of the oldest manuscripts and the unusual material copyists wrote on. Across clear examples, it shows how to weigh grammar, meter, and style to recover what the author likely wrote.

• Understand the types of copyist mistakes and how they affect meaning.
• See how scholars decide which emendations fit an ancient poet’s rhythm and language.
• Learn the methods behind establishing a standard, reliable text from imperfect evidence.
• Explore how obscure allusions, proper-name usage, and archaic forms shape reading choices.

Ideal for readers curious about textual repair, editorial practice, and the difficulties of bringing ancient drama to modern readers. This edition offers a structured look at how one editor balances fidelity to manuscripts with the need for readable, accurate verse.