Author Description
The Tangled Ways Of Zeus Is A Collection Of Studies Written Over The Last Twenty Years By The Distinguished Classicist Alan Sommerstein About Various Aspects Of Ancient Greek Tragedy (and, In Some Cases, Other Related Genres). It Complements His Recent Collection Of Studies In Greek Comedy, Talking About Laughter (oup, 2009). Some Of The Essays Have Not Been Published Previously, Others Have Appeared In Books Or Journals Hard To Find Outside Major Academic Libraries. Each Chapter Deals With Its Own Topic, But Between Them They Build Up A Multifaceted Picture Of The Dramatists (especially Aeschylus And Sophocles), The Genre, And Its Interactions With The Society, Culture, And Religion Of Classical Athens.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This collection investigates the complex interplay between ancient Greek tragedy, its primary dramatists, and the socio-cultural fabric of Classical Athens. Alan H. Sommerstein, a distinguished classicist, compiles two decades of research to examine the thematic and structural nuances of Aeschylus and Sophocles. The work argues that tragedy functioned as a vital, evolving dialogue with the religious and political institutions of its time, rather than as a static artistic form.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of Aeschylean and Sophoclean dramatic structures
- Examination of the intersection between tragedy and Athenian religious practice
- Comparative studies of tragedy and related comedic genres
- Previously unpublished essays alongside hard-to-find academic journal articles
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a comprehensive history of all Greek playwrights
- Focuses primarily on tragedy, with only secondary attention to other dramatic forms
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of classical literature recognize this volume as a significant resource for its depth of research and accessibility to specialized topics. Experts highlight the text as a valuable companion to Sommerstein's broader body of work on Greek drama.
Page Count:
352
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191576603
ISBN-13:
9780191576607
History
Drama
Literary Criticism