Euripides: Iphigenia Among the Taurians Contributor(s): Torrance, Isabelle (Author), Harrison, Thomas (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1474234410 ISBN-13: 9781474234412 Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic OUR PRICE: $108.90 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: February 2019 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Ancient And Classical - Literary Criticism | Drama - Drama | Ancient & Classical |
Dewey: 882 |
LCCN: 2018040891 |
Series: Companions to Greek and Roman Tragedy |
Physical Information: 0.6" H x 5.4" W x 8.6" (0.70 lbs) 176 pages |
Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: In this new student introduction to a Greek tragedy, Isabelle Torrance looks at what makes Iphigenia among the Taurians a successful tragedy in ancient Greek terms, and how dramatic excitement is achieved through the exotic setting, the cast of characters, and the chorus. Assuming no knowledge of Greek, and with students in mind, the central themes of ethnicity and gender relations are examined to show how Euripides manipulates established stereotypes. The play was one of Aristotle's favourites and his enthusiasm derived from the fact that, in spite of its ostensibly happy ending, the play presents the audience with an exquisitely constructed reversal of events: when Iphigenia recognizes that she has been about to sacrifice her long-lost brother, kin-murder is avoided and the plot turns into an escape drama. Other significant concerns of the play surround ritual and the gods, and these are discussed to highlight how the drama asks probing theological questions. Finally, the vast reception history of the play in a variety of genres, such as ancient comedy, Roman philosophy, European opera, and 20th century theatre, is sketched out from antiquity to the present day. |
Contributor Bio(s): Harrison, Thomas: - Thomas Harrison is Rathbone Professor of Ancient History and Classical Archaeology at the University of Liverpool, UK. His publications include Divinity and History: the religion of Herodotus (2000), The Emptiness of Asia: Aeschylus' Persians and the history of the fifth century (2000); as editor Greeks and Barbarians (2002) and the Edinburgh Companion to Ancient Greece and Rome (2006). |