Euripides's revolution under cover : an essay / Pietro Pucci.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pucci, Pietro, author.

Series:

Cornell studies in classical philology.

Cornell Studies in Classical Philology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Euripides--Criticism and interpretation.

Euripides.

Gods, Greek, in literature.

Anthropomorphism in literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (246 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Ithaca, New York ; London, [England] : Cornell University Press, 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this provocative book, Pietro Pucci explores what he sees as Euripides's revolutionary literary art. While scholars have long pointed to subversive elements in Euripides's plays, Pucci 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." Pucci lays out the various ways 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.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Euripides's Poetic Game and Law of Composition

2. Anthropomorphism

3. The Protection of the Self and the Role of Sophia

4. Some Connotations of Sophia

5. Polyneices's Truth

6. Hecuba's Rhetoric

7. Eros in Euripides's Poetics: Sex as the Cause of the Trojan War

8. The Lewd Gaze of the Eye

9. The Power of Love: Who Is Aphrodite?

10. Phaedra

11. Hermione: The Andromache

12. Female Victims of War: The Troades

13. The Survival in Poetry

14. Figures of Metalepsis: The Invention of "Literature"

15. The Failure of Politics in Euripides's Poetics: Politics in the Suppliant Women

16. Political Philosophy: A Universal Program of Peace and Progress

17. How to Deliberate a War

18. Democracy and Monarchy

19. The Battle

20. The Rescue of the Corpses

21. Return to Arms

22. The Polis's Loss of Control and Authority

23. The Bacchants' Gospel and the Greek City

24. Pentheus and Teiresias

25. Dionysus's Revenge: First Round

26. Revenge Prepares Its Murderous Weapon

27. Initiation and Sacrifice

28. Victory and Defeat

29. Euripides's Poetry

Bibliography

Subject Index

Index Locorum

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781501704048

1501704044

9781501704055

1501704052

OCLC:

951977852