Helping Friends and Harming Enemies: A Study in Sophocles and Greek Ethics

by Mary Whitlock Blundell

This book is the first detailed study of the plays of Sophocles through examination of a single ethical principle--the traditional Greek popular moral code of "helping friends and harming enemies." Five of the extant plays are discussed in detail from both a dramatic and an ethical standpoint, and the author concludes that ethical themes are not only integral to each drama, but are subjected to an implicit critique through the tragic consequences to which they give rise. Greek scholars and students of Greek drama and Greek thought will welcome this book, which is presented in such a way as to be accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike. No knowledge of Greek is required.

Genres: Ancient History

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Donald]

I used this book for a paper I wrote about Ajax, and it was really helpful. Blundell (now Ruby Blondell) reads very closely, so while this book is specifically about friend/enemy ethics I recommend it to anyone reading Sophocles who wants to dig in deep.

Maybe I'll finish the rest of it next year.