Ironic Drama. A Study of Euripides' Method and Meaning.

From the library of Prof. Wolfgang Haase, long-time editor of ANRW and the International Journal of the Classical Tradition (IJCT). - Cover rubbed and clearly bumped, tear on back cover, cut a bit soiled, light margins due to paper, otherwise good and clean. - Mr Vellacott believes that Euripides has been seriously misread and misunderstood both in ancient and in modern criticism. He finds in the plays a recurring strategy of ironic presentation, and shows that on this interpretation we can make consistent sense of, and discover new subtlety and purpose in, not only those plays which have previously been dismissed as confused, dull, inferior or uneven but also those acknowledged as masterpieces. In particular he shows that Euripides was acutely concerned with the role and status of women in a manmade and man-controlled society and with the psychological deformation of individuals or nations at war; on both counts he sees Euripides as a radical critic of human society, far ahead of his own century and with an obvious relevance for ours. Mr Vellacott writes for all those who read the plays, either in translation or in the original, and who wish to feel the full impact of this most 'modern' of-Greek tragedians. He quotes extensively in translation and the book is intended as much for students of drama, English and comparative literature as for classical students. - Philip Vellacott was for many years a teacher of Classics at Dulwich College, where he was also for twelve years in charge of drama and produced the annual Shakespeare play. In connexion with The Attic Players, which he founded in 1948, he has also directed a number of Greek plays in translation. In the last ten years he has lectured on Greek drama in many United States universities, and has spent four terms as Visiting Lecturer in the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has translated the complete plays of Euripides for Penguin Classics. ISBN 9780521205900