Description
Book SynopsisGreek tragedy is widely read and performed, but outside the commentary tradition detailed study of the poetic style and language of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides has been relatively neglected. This book seeks to fill that gap by providing an account of the poetics of the tragic genre.
Trade Review'Rutherford's book … fills a sizable gap in scholarship. … Becuse he has translated all the Greek that he copiously quotes, anyone with an interest in the subject can enjoy the riches of the book.' Choice
'The value of R.'s work lies in the fact that it puts its finger decisively on many important topics and provides ample stimulus for further debate. Its clarity and rigour of presentation are hard to fault, its discussions of individual passages are satisfyingly complex and thoughtful, and above all it is a timely reminder of the importance of treating tragedy as poetry.' Matthew Wright, The Classical Review
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Genre: form, structure and mode; 3. Words, themes and names; 4. The imagery of Greek tragedy; 5. The dramatists at work: part 1 (spoken verse); 6. The dramatists at work: part 2 (lyric); 7. The characters of Greek tragedy; 8. The irony of Greek tragedy; Appendix: ironic dramatists?; 9. The wisdom of Greek tragedy; 10. Epilogue.
