Heracles and Euripidean Tragedy ( Cambridge Classical Studies )

Publication series :Cambridge Classical Studies

Author: Thalia Papadopoulou;  

Publisher: Cambridge University Press‎

Publication year: 2005

E-ISBN: 9781316959022

P-ISBN(Paperback): 9780521851268

P-ISBN(Hardback):  9780521851268

Subject: K1 World History

Keyword: 世界史

Language: ENG

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Description

This book explores the complex questions about divinity and human values examined in Euripides' Heracles. Euripides' Heracles is a play of great complexity, tracing its protagonist's development from invincible hero to the courageous bearer of suffering. This work places the play in the context of Euripidean drama, Greek dramaturgy and fifth-century Athenian society. It also explores the play's examination of divinity and human values. Euripides' Heracles is a play of great complexity, tracing its protagonist's development from invincible hero to the courageous bearer of suffering. This work places the play in the context of Euripidean drama, Greek dramaturgy and fifth-century Athenian society. It also explores the play's examination of divinity and human values. Euripides' Heracles is an extraordinary play of great complexity, exploring the co-existence of both positive and negative aspects of the eponymous hero. Euripides treats Heracles' ambivalence by showing his uncertain position after the completion of his labours and turns him into a tragic hero by dramatizing his development from the invincible hero of the labours to the courageous bearer of suffering. This book offers a comprehensive reading of Heracles examining it in the contexts of Euripidean dramaturgy, Greek drama and fifth-century Athenian society. It shows that the play, which raises profound questions on divinity and human values, deserves to have a prominent place in every discussion about Euripides and about Greek tragedy. Tracing some of Euripides' most spectacular writing in terms of emotional and intellectual effect, and discussing questions of narrative, rhetoric, stagecraft and audience reception, this work is required reading for all students and scholars of Euripides. Introduction; 1. Ritual and violence; 2. Madness and the gods; 3. Arete and the image of Athens; Conclusion. 'This is a wonderfully rich book. [Papadopoulou] is impressively learned - she has read and responded to everything - but there is nothing dry or showy about it. … Anyone who is interested in Euripides - or indeed in Greek tragedy generally - will come away from this book both stimulated and enriched. … her book is pleasingly slim-line and yet manages to say a very great deal. … I recommend this book for the library with real enthusiasm.' Journal of Classics Teaching

Chapter

Revenge and transgression

Dionysiac metaphor and the mystic element

Ritual and integration

Conclusion

Madness and the Gods

Introduction

The typology of Heracles' madness

Tradition and models of causation

Poetic lies and Heracles' notion of divinity

The incomprehensibility of the gods

Conclusion

Arete and the image of Athens

Introduction

Amphitryon, Megara and Lycus

The debate over arete

Heracles and the bow

The image of Athens in Greek tragedy

Heracles and Theseus

Suicide in Greek tragedy

Heracles' decision to live

Conclusion

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index of passages cited

General index

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