Hanna M Roisman Knihy

Focusing on Euripides' Hippolytus, Hanna M. Roisman offers an in-depth analysis of the play's themes and significant scenes, such as Hippolytus' prayer and Phaedra's confession. She explores the ancient preference for implicit storytelling and addresses the Athenian audience's reactions to the play. Roisman also examines the concept of tragedy in relation to Hippolytus, questioning the relevance of the tragic flaw. Additionally, the book includes comparisons with Seneca's Phaedra, making it a crucial resource for scholars of Greek tragedy and literature.

The heroines of Greek tragedy presented in the plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides have long captivated audiences and critics. In this volume each of the eleven chapters discusses one of the heroines: Clytemnestra, Hecuba, Medea, Iphigenia, Alcestis, Antigone Electra, Deianeira, Phaedra, Creusa and Helen. The book focuses on characterisation and the motivations of the women, as well as on those of the male playwrights, and offers multiple viewpoints and critiques that enable readers to understand the context of each play and form their own views. Four core themes bridge the depictions of the heroines: the socio-political dynamic of ancient Greek expectations of women and their roles in society, the conflict of masculinity versus femininity, the alternation of defiance and submission, and the interplay between deceit and rhetoric. Each chapter offers clear descriptions of plot and mythical background, and builds on the text of the plays to enable reflections on language and performance. All technical terms are explained and key topics or references are pulled out into box features that provide further background information. Discussion points at the ends of chapters enable readers to explore various topics more deeply.

Sophocles' Electra is a riveting play with a long and varied reception. Its nuanced treatment of matricidal revenge with all the questions it raises and its superb poetry have all contributed to making this one of Sophocles' most admired plays. This text and commentary provides students with all the essential information to appreciate Sophocles' complex tragedy.