Sophocles and the Greek Tragic Tradition

Description

This book contains thirteen essays by senior international experts on Greek tragedy looking at Sophocles' dramas. They reassess their crucial role in the creation of the tragic repertoire, in the idea of the tragic canon in antiquity, and in the making and infinite re-creation of the tragic tradition in the Renaissance and beyond. The introduction looks at the paradigm shifts during the twentieth century in the theory and practice of Greek theatre, in order to gain a perspective on the current state of play in Sophoclean studies. The following three sections explore respectively the way that Sophocles' tragedies provoked and educated their original Athenian democratic audience, the language, structure and lasting impact of his Oedipus plays, and the centrality of his oeuvre in the development of the tragic tradition in Aeschylus, Euripides, ancient philosophical theory, fourth-century tragedy and Shakespeare.

Simon Goldhill is Professor of Greek, Cambridge University and a Fellow of King's College. He has published widely on Greek literature and drama, with books including Reading Greek Tragedy (1986), Performance Culture and Athenian Democracy (co-authored with Robin Osborne, 1999), and How to Stage Greek Tragedy Today (2007). Edith Hall is Research Professor in Classics and Drama at Royal Holloway, University of London. Her book Greek Tragedy and the British Theatre 1660-1914 (co-authored with Dr Fiona Macintosh, 2005) was runner-up for the Theatre Society Book Prize and the Criticos Prize 2006, and shortlisted for the Runciman Prize, as was her Theatrical Cast of Athens (2006).

Review of the hardback: '... a fine book, one that re-appraises Sophocles' legacy in a way that repays consideration.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review