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Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.World of Books (was SecondSale)
AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007
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In the 5th Century BCE, the city-state of Athens gave every male citizen the right to voice their opinions and participate in civic life, but this first blush of democracy resulted in a mob of drunken Athenians parading gigantic phalli through the streets as they gleefully hurled insults at each other. It was from this wine-sodden revel that comedy was born-- a complicated and messy origin that grows only more relevant in light of our democracy's current struggles. Twice a year, thousands of Athenians would attend festivals that turned comedic writing into a fierce battle for fame, money, and laughably large trophies. While the tragedies earned artistic respect, it was the comedies--the raunchy jokes, vulgar innuendo, outrageous invention, and barbed political commentary--that captured the imagination of the city. The comedic writers feuded openly, insulting one another within their plays, each production more inventive and outlandish than the last, as they tried to top the other and win first prize. Of these writers, only the work of Aristophanes has survived. It's through his plays that we know about the other playwrights who were his competition: Cratinus, the great lush; Eupolis, the copycat; and Ariphrades, the sexual deviant. These insults were no laughing matter as being on the sharp end of one of Aristophanes' jokes could destroy a reputation. It might have been the golden age of Democracy, but for comic playwrights, it was the age of Rude Talk. Through conversations with historians, politicians, and other writers, the always witty and effusive Smith embarks on a personal mission (bordering on obsession) exploring the life of one of these unknown writers, and how comedy challenged the patriarchy, the military, and the powers that be, both then and now. A comic writer himself and author of many books and screenplays, Smith also looks back at his own career, his love for the uniquely dynamic city of Athens, and what it means for a writer to leave a legacy.…
Seller Inventory # 00102649515
- Title
- Rude Talk in Athens
- Author
- Mark Haskell Smith
- Publisher
- Unnamed Press
- Publication year
- 2021
- Condition
- Good
- Binding
- Hardback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1951213343
- ISBN 13
- 9781951213343
In ancient Athens, thousands would attend theatre festivals that turned writing into a fierce battle for fame, money, and laughably large trophies. While the tragedies earned artistic respect, it was the comedies―the raunchy jokes, vulgar innuendo, outrageous invention, and barbed political commentary―that captured the imagination of the city.
The writers of these comedic plays feuded openly, insulting one another from the stage, each production more inventive and outlandish than the last, as they tried to win first prize. Of these writers, only the work of Aristophanes has survived and it’s only through his plays that we know about his peers: Cratinus, the great lush; Eupolis, the copycat; and Ariphrades, the sexual deviant. It might have been the golden age of Democracy, but for comic playwrights, it was the age of Rude Talk.
Watching a production of an Aristophanes play in 2019 CE and seeing the audience laugh uproariously at every joke, Mark Haskell Smith began to wonder: what does it tell us about society and humanity that these ancient punchlines still land? When insults and jokes made thousands of years ago continue to be both offensive and still make us laugh?
Through conversations with historians, politicians, and other writers, the always witty and effusive Smith embarks on a personal mission (bordering on obsession) exploring the life of one of these unknown writers, and how comedy challenged the patriarchy, the military, and the powers that be, both then and now. A comic writer himself and author of many books and screenplays, Smith also looks back at his own career, his love for the uniquely dynamic city of Athens, and what it means for a writer to leave a legacy.
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World of Books (was SecondSale)
Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since December 20, 2007
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Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability. As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission …
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