Pietro Pucci
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- August 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781501700613
- eISBN:
- 9781501704055
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Cornell University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7591/cornell/9781501700613.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Plays and Playwrights: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This book explores Euripides's revolutionary literary art. While scholars have long pointed to subversive elements in Euripides's plays, this book goes a step further in identifying a Euripidean ...
More
This book explores Euripides's revolutionary literary art. While scholars have long pointed to subversive elements in Euripides's plays, this book goes a step further in identifying a Euripidean program of enlightened thought enacted through carefully wrought textual strategies. The driving force behind this program is Euripides's desire to subvert the traditional anthropomorphic view of the Greek gods—a belief system that in his view strips human beings of their independence and ability to act wisely and justly. Instead of fatuous religious beliefs, Athenians need the wisdom and the strength to navigate the challenges and difficulties of life. Throughout his lifetime, Euripides found himself the target of intense criticism and ridicule. He was accused of promoting new ideas that were considered destructive. Like his contemporary, Socrates, he was considered a corrupting influence. No wonder, then, that Euripides had to carry out his revolution “under cover.” This book lays out the various ways that the playwright skillfully inserted his philosophical principles into the text through innovative strategies of plot development, language and composition, and production techniques that subverted the traditionally staged anthropomorphic gods.Less
This book explores Euripides's revolutionary literary art. While scholars have long pointed to subversive elements in Euripides's plays, this book goes a step further in identifying a Euripidean program of enlightened thought enacted through carefully wrought textual strategies. The driving force behind this program is Euripides's desire to subvert the traditional anthropomorphic view of the Greek gods—a belief system that in his view strips human beings of their independence and ability to act wisely and justly. Instead of fatuous religious beliefs, Athenians need the wisdom and the strength to navigate the challenges and difficulties of life. Throughout his lifetime, Euripides found himself the target of intense criticism and ridicule. He was accused of promoting new ideas that were considered destructive. Like his contemporary, Socrates, he was considered a corrupting influence. No wonder, then, that Euripides had to carry out his revolution “under cover.” This book lays out the various ways that the playwright skillfully inserted his philosophical principles into the text through innovative strategies of plot development, language and composition, and production techniques that subverted the traditionally staged anthropomorphic gods.
Keith Bodner
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- October 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198784074
- eISBN:
- 9780191826672
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198784074.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies
This book is introduced with a short chapter that has three main purposes. First, the introduction provides an overview of the story told in Exodus 1–2, including the main lineaments of the plot and ...
More
This book is introduced with a short chapter that has three main purposes. First, the introduction provides an overview of the story told in Exodus 1–2, including the main lineaments of the plot and some of the major characters who appear in the drama. Second, the introduction also provides a short overview of narrative criticism as the methodology adopted in this study, with the suggestion that this particular approach is well suited for the kind of material the reader encounters in Exodus 1–2. Third, the introduction then summarizes some of the key highlights and areas of analysis in the forthcoming chapters, with a synopsis of each chapter provided for the reader’s convenience and as a preview of the analysis to come.Less
This book is introduced with a short chapter that has three main purposes. First, the introduction provides an overview of the story told in Exodus 1–2, including the main lineaments of the plot and some of the major characters who appear in the drama. Second, the introduction also provides a short overview of narrative criticism as the methodology adopted in this study, with the suggestion that this particular approach is well suited for the kind of material the reader encounters in Exodus 1–2. Third, the introduction then summarizes some of the key highlights and areas of analysis in the forthcoming chapters, with a synopsis of each chapter provided for the reader’s convenience and as a preview of the analysis to come.
