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Aristophanic Humour: Theory and Practice

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Aristophanic Humour: Theory and Practice
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Peter Swallow
Edited by Edith Hall
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:296
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreLiterary studies - classical, early and medieval
Literary studies - plays and playwrights
ISBN/Barcode 9781350194854
ClassificationsDewey:882.01
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations 20 bw illus

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date 30 December 2021
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This volume sets out to discuss a crucial question for ancient comedy - what makes Aristophanes funny? Too often Aristophanes' humour is taken for granted as merely a tool for the delivery of political and social commentary. But Greek Old Comedy was above all else designed to amuse people, to win the dramatic competition by making the audience laugh the hardest. Any discussion of Aristophanes therefore needs to take into account the ways in which his humour actually works. This question is addressed in two ways. The first half of the volume offers an in-depth discussion of humour theory - a field heretofore largely overlooked by classicists and Aristophanists - examining various theoretical models within the specific context of Aristophanes' eleven extant plays. In the second half, contributors explore Aristophanic humour more practically, examining how specific linguistic techniques and performative choices affect the reception of humour, and exploring the range of subjects Aristophanes tackles as vectors for his comedy. A focus on performance shapes the narrative, since humour lives or dies on the stage - it is never wholly comprehensible on the page alone.

Author Biography

Peter Swallow is the Tassos and Angele Nomikos Research Associate at King's College London, UK. He teaches Classics at Notting Hill and Ealing High School, and has previously taught at KCL and Goldsmiths, University of London. His doctorate explored the Victorian reception of Old Comedy, and his publications include studies on the translation and performance of Aristophanes. Edith Hall is Professor of Classics at the University of Durham and Consultant Director of the Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama in Oxford, UK. Her books on ancient Greek culture and its reception include The Return of Ulysses (2008), Greek Tragedy (2010), Adventures with Iphigenia in Tauris (2013) and Introducing the Ancient Greeks (2015).

Reviews

A most stimulating academic discussion. * Classics for All *