Edith Hall
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199298891
- eISBN:
- 9780191711459
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298891.001.0001
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Plays and Playwrights: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In ...
More
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In twelve studies of role types and the theatrical conventions that contributed to their creation — including women in childbirth, drowning barbarians, horny satyrs, allegorical representations of Comedy, peasant farmers, tragic masks, and solo sung arias — the argument is advanced that the interface between ancient Greek drama and social reality must be understood as a complicated and incessant process of mutual cross-pollination.Less
This study explores the numerous different ways in which we can understand the relationship between the real, social world in which the Athenians lived and the theatrical roles that they invented. In twelve studies of role types and the theatrical conventions that contributed to their creation — including women in childbirth, drowning barbarians, horny satyrs, allegorical representations of Comedy, peasant farmers, tragic masks, and solo sung arias — the argument is advanced that the interface between ancient Greek drama and social reality must be understood as a complicated and incessant process of mutual cross-pollination.
EDITH HALL
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199298891
- eISBN:
- 9780191711459
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298891.003.0003
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Plays and Playwrights: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This chapter focuses on a particular category of theatrical role — the woman who gives birth at around the dramatic moment that the play is set; birth plots appeared in all the ancient genres of ...
More
This chapter focuses on a particular category of theatrical role — the woman who gives birth at around the dramatic moment that the play is set; birth plots appeared in all the ancient genres of drama, in both Greek and Latin. It considers why dramatists were so attracted to childbirth as a theme, how the male actors dealt with the requirement to look pregnant or feign labour pains, and how these phenomena fitted with the clear reluctance, at least of classical Athenian men, to discuss obstetric matters in public on any occasion whatsoever.Less
This chapter focuses on a particular category of theatrical role — the woman who gives birth at around the dramatic moment that the play is set; birth plots appeared in all the ancient genres of drama, in both Greek and Latin. It considers why dramatists were so attracted to childbirth as a theme, how the male actors dealt with the requirement to look pregnant or feign labour pains, and how these phenomena fitted with the clear reluctance, at least of classical Athenian men, to discuss obstetric matters in public on any occasion whatsoever.
