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Aristophanic Comedy
Professor Dover's newest book is designed for those who are interested in the history of comedy as an art form but who are not necessarily familiar with the Greek language.
The eleven surviving plays of Aristophanes are treated as representative of a genre. Old Attic Comedy, which was artistically and intellectually homogeneous and gave expression to the spirit of Athenian society in the late fifth and early fourth centuries B.C. Aristophanes is regarded primarily not as a reformer or propagandist but as a dramatist who sought, in competition with his rivals, to win the esteem both of the general public and of the cultivated and critical minority. He succeeded in this effort by making people laugh, and the book pays more attention than has generally been paid to the technical means, whether of language or of situation, on which Aristophanes' humor depends. Particular emphasis is laid on his indifference-positively assisted by the physical limitations of the Greek theatre and the conditions of the Athenian dramatic festivals-to the maintenance of continuous "dramatic illusion" or to the provision of a dramatic event with the antecedents and consequences which might logically be expected. More importance is attached to Aristophanes' adoption of popular attitudes and beliefs, to his creation of uninhibited characters with which the spectators could identify themselves, and to his acceptance of the comic poet's traditional role as a mordant but jocular critic of morals, than to any identifiable and consistent elements in his political standpoint.
The eleven surviving plays of Aristophanes are treated as representative of a genre. Old Attic Comedy, which was artistically and intellectually homogeneous and gave expression to the spirit of Athenian society in the late fifth and early fourth centuries B.C. Aristophanes is regarded primarily not as a reformer or propagandist but as a dramatist who sought, in competition with his rivals, to win the esteem both of the general public and of the cultivated and critical minority. He succeeded in this effort by making people laugh, and the book pays more attention than has generally been paid to the technical means, whether of language or of situation, on which Aristophanes' humor depends. Particular emphasis is laid on his indifference-positively assisted by the physical limitations of the Greek theatre and the conditions of the Athenian dramatic festivals-to the maintenance of continuous "dramatic illusion" or to the provision of a dramatic event with the antecedents and consequences which might logically be expected. More importance is attached to Aristophanes' adoption of popular attitudes and beliefs, to his creation of uninhibited characters with which the spectators could identify themselves, and to his acceptance of the comic poet's traditional role as a mordant but jocular critic of morals, than to any identifiable and consistent elements in his political standpoint.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 12, 2015
Οσα θελετε να μάθετε για τον Αριστοφάνη κ τα έργα του (κ όχι μόνο) βρίσκονται σε αυτό το βιβλιο. Αρχικά αναλύετε διεξοδικα το θέατρο, η οργάνωση του, κ οι υποκριτές. Στη συνέχεια αναλύονται τα έργα του ένα ένα, συκρίνονται κ αναλύονται κ μέσα στα πλαίσια της πολης και της εποχής του Αριστοφανη, κατι που ειναι πολύ ενδιαφερον, γιατι πέρα απο την κωμωδια, σε βοηθαει μεσω της αναλυσης να οπτικοποιήσεις με την φαντασια σου κ να κατανοήσεις (οσο αυτο ειναι δυνατο), την πόλη των Αθηνων. Τα δύο τελευταια κεφαλαια ασχολουνται προδρομικα και μεταγενεστερα με τη κωμωδια, την αγγιζει μεχρι κ τη νέα, του Μενανδρου. Ειναι λοιπον ενα βιβλιο που ασχολειται σφαιρικα κ ολοκληρωμενα με την αρχαια κωμωδια! Καλύπτει ενα ευρυ φασμα γύρω απο αυτη, το συστήνω ανεπιφύλακτα.
August 4, 2011
An enjoyable account of the Aristophanic comedy. It can be read without any previous knowledge of obscure philological issues such as metrics or language. The first part is dedicated to the general thematic and structural characteristics of the comedies. The second one is a wonderful tour to each of the eleven Aristophanic comedies preserved. The fact that each play is accompanied by a synopsis, some stage production tips and a section where the main subject of the play is treated according to the ancient Greek worldview is extremely helpful.
December 5, 2024
Only read a chapter but it felt like going to war
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews