Description
Book SynopsisAristophanes has enjoyed a conspicuous revival in nineteenth - and twentieth-century Greece. This book provides an analysis of his role in modern Greek culture. It addresses the issues reflected in the poet's revival: political and linguistic nationalism, literary and cultural authenticity versus creativity, censorship, and social strife.
Trade ReviewWinner of the John D. Criticos Prize "A riveting, complex and often surprising exegesis that should be made compulsory reading for all students of the Greek world, ancient and modern alike ... Aristophanes has formed a constant and central element in Greek politics and Greek theatre. Van Steen deserves all credit both for isolating this richly rewarding virgin lode, and mining it with such skill and perseverance ... Venom in Verse is that rarity among scholarly studies: a beautifully written book, to read and reread rather than merely consult, with added pleasure at each fresh perusal."--Peter Green, Times Literary Supplement "Van Steen demonstrates how dramas originally crafted to play a role in shaping the world's oldest democracy have similarly served the development of a new one on the same territory. Those who associate Aristophanes' only with ancient will certainly profit from reading this volume."--Choice "A delightful and instructive book ... wonderful and highly useful."--Marina Kotzamani, Journal of Modern Greek Studies "In this impressive monograph, Van Steen chronicles the reception history of modern Greek Aristophanic performance from the important revival of Plutus in 1868 to the most recent interpretations of this playwright. She also explores Aristophanes' role as a cultural icon in Greek society, bridging the gap between the elitism of the classics and the mass appeal of Attic comedy."--Classical World
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Prologue Ch. 1. Poisoned Gift from Antiquity: Aristophanes as Paravase of Koraes' Nationalist Ideology Ch. 2. Aristophanes in Modern Greek: A Demotic, Satirical, and Theatrical Paravase Ch. 3. The Lysistrata Euphoria of 1900 to 1940: Sexual and Antifeminist Paravase Ch. 4. Koun's Birds of 1959: Paravase of Right-Wing Politics Ch. 5. Framing, Clowning, and Cloning Aristophanes Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index
