A Companion to Tragedy: 74 (Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1405192461 ISBN 13: 9781405192460

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009

Synopsis

A Companion to Tragedy is an essential resource for anyone interested in exploring the role of tragedy in Western history and culture. Tells the story of the historical development of tragedy from classical Greece to modernity Features 28 essays by renowned scholars from multiple disciplines, including classics, English, drama, anthropology and philosophy Broad in its scope and ambition, it considers interpretations of tragedy through religion, philosophy and history Offers a fresh assessment of Ancient Greek tragedy and demonstrates how the practice of reading tragedy has changed radically in the past two decades

About this title

Review

"Traverses a range of methodological approaches and historical contexts in an attempt to provide an overview of what is substantially a characteristically 'western' art form. Expertly edited Companion." (Notes and Queries, December 2009)

"These essays, as would be expected from their authors, manifest a high standard of scholarship and familiarity with current understandings.... The volume has a place on the desk of every reference librarian at the college and university level." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review)

"The arrangement of the contents and an index that provides coverage of all the essays, allows immediate targeting of specific topics and quick referencing, whilst in its entirety the book provides an excellent survey of tragedy as it is currently studied. Aimed primarily at undergraduates and useful to postgraduates needing to orientate themselves in the scholarship of this area, this title is a useful addition to the academic library." (Reference Reviews)

From the Back Cover

A Companion to Tragedy is an essential resource for anyone interested in exploring the role of tragedy in Western history and culture. The Companion is based on the premise that the genre of tragedy is inseparable from history, insofar as it was born in the Greek city-state, and its life has been intertwined with the fate of dynasties, revolutions, and crises of social change. At the same time, this historical approach is complemented by consideration of philosophical and religious readings of tragedy.

Featuring essays by renowned scholars from multiple disciplines, the volume is structured into two parts: the first set of essays on "tragic thought" considers interpretations of tragedy through religion, philosophy, and history; while the second set on "tragedy in history" traces the historical development of tragedy from classical Greece to modernity. Together, they demonstrate how the practice of reading tragedy has changed radically in the past two decades.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1405192461
• ISBN 13: 9781405192460
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 570
• Editor: Bushnell Rebecca