Ritual and Performativity: The Chorus in Old Comedy (Hellenic Studies Series)

Bierl, Anton

ISBN 10: 0674023730 / ISBN 13: 9780674023734

Published by Center for Hellenic Studies, 2010

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ritual and Performativity: The Chorus in Old Comedy (Hellenic Studies Series)
• Publisher: Center for Hellenic Studies
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674023730
• ISBN 13: 9780674023734
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

In this groundbreaking study, Anton Bierl uses recent approaches in literary and cultural studies to investigate the chorus of Old Comedy. After an extensive theoretical introduction that also serves as a general introduction to the dramatic chorus from the comic vantage point, a close reading of Aristophanes' Thesmophoriazusae shows that ritual is indeed present in both the micro- and macrostructure of Attic comedy, not as a fossilized remnant of the origins of the genre but as part of a still existing performative choral culture. The chorus members do play a role within the dramatic plot, but they simultaneously refer to their own performance in the here and now and to their function as participants in a ritual. Bierl's investigation also includes an unparalleled treatment of the phallic songs preserved by Semos.

About the Authors

Anton Bierl is Professor of Greek Philology at the University of Basel.

Alexander Hollmann is Assistant Professor of the Classics at the University of Washington.