Greek Drama and Dramatists / Edition 1

by Alan H. Sommerstein

Overview

The history of European drama began at the festivals of Dionysus in ancient Athens, where tragedy, satyr-drama and comedy were performed. Understanding this background is vital for students of classical, literary and theatrical subjects, and Alan H. Sommerstein's accessible study is the ideal introduction. The book begins by looking at the social and theatrical contexts and different characteristics of the three genres of ancient Greek drama. It then examines the five main dramatists whose works survive - Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and Menander - discussing their styles, techniques and ideas, and giving short synopses of all their extant plays. Additional helpful features include succinct coverage of almost sixty other authors, a chronology of significant people and events, and an anthology of translated texts, all of which have been previously inaccessible to students. An up-to-date study bibliography of further reading concludes the volume. Clear, concise and comprehensive, and written by an acknowledged expert in the field, Greek Drama and Dramatists will be a valuable orientation text at both sixth form and undergraduate level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415260282
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/10/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Alan H. Sommerstein

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements, Chapter 1 HISTORY OF THE DRAMATIC GENRES, Chapter 2 THE AUTHORS, Chapter 3 CHRONOLOGY OF GREEK DRAMA, Chapter 4 ANTHOLOGY OF TEXTS, Chapter 5 TESTIMONIAL, Chapter 6 SELECT FURTHER READING, Index

Editorial Reviews

'A superb sourcebook for the study of the Greek Theatre and its practitioners. This is an essential ... purchase for the school library or classics resource centre.' – JACT Review

From the Publisher