Euripides: Phoenissae by Euripides
This volume provides a thorough philological and dramatic commentary on Euripides' Phoenissae, the first detailed commentary in English since 1911. Phoenissae is of special interest both as a specimen of late Euripidean dramaturgy, and as the subject of longstanding disputes over the extent of interpolation and rewriting to be detected in it. This commentary aims to offer a balanced treatment of issues of language, style, structure, and dramatic technique as well as to explain the reasons for and uncertainties of the constitution of the text. The introduction treats the play's structure and themes, the possible date, the features of the original production, the varied background of Theban myth against which Euripides' choices and innovations may be judged, and general issues relevant to the problem of interpolation. The Greek text is that of the author's 1988 Teubner edition.
"The finest commentary ever written by an American on a Greek tragedyBreadth is extraordinary." Religious Studies Review
"This handsomely produced volume tips the scales as the heavyweight among Euripidean commentaries. It is a major philological achievement, which vastly enhances understanding of the play." Justina Gregory, AJP
"Superb...Mastronarde has brought readers of Medea up to date, set out for us the scholarly discussion while cogently advancing it, and given us the tools to make our own judgements." Hardy Hansen, Classical World
"This handsomely produced volume tips the scales as the heavyweight among Euripidean commentaries. It is a major philological achievement, which vastly enhances understanding of the play." Justina Gregory, AJP
"Superb...Mastronarde has brought readers of Medea up to date, set out for us the scholarly discussion while cogently advancing it, and given us the tools to make our own judgements." Hardy Hansen, Classical World
Euripides: - Euripides (484-406 BC) was a Greek dramatist. The last major tragic playwright of the classical world, he has also been called the first modern. Euripides was not highly successful in his lifetime, winning the first of only five victories at the Dionysia at the age of 43. By the end of the 19th century, however, Euripides was the most acclaimed Greek playwright. And, when the Royal Shakespeare Company presented a ten-play cycle The Greeks in 1980, seven of the works were by Euripides. Only 17 of his 92 plays survive. These include Medea, The Bacchae and Electra. Euripides's innovations included the deus ex machina and the formal prologue. He used simple everyday language, bringing a new realism to the stage. Although contemporaries accused him of killing tragedy, he humanized drama by adding elements of sentiment, romance, and even comedy. He was the first to argue against the social inferiority of women, and the first to show women in love. He was also the first to explore such subjects as madness and repression. A recluse, he shunned Athenian civil and social affairs, and in later life would sit all day in a cave on Salamis overlooking the sea as he contemplated and wrote something great and high. In 408 BC Euripides was exiled for his unorthodox views to Macedonia, where he died less than two years later. According to tradition, when the Spartans arrived to burn Athens, they desisted after a reminder that this was Euripides's city.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780521604468 |
| ISBN 10 | 052160446X |
| Title | Euripides: Phoenissae |
| Author | Euripides |
| Series | Cambridge Classical Texts And Commentaries |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Year published | 2004-05-20 |
| Number of pages | 684 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |