"Freydberg (philosophy, Koç Univ., Istanbul) sets Aristophanes' plays in dialogue with The Republic, The Symposium, and other texts by Plato in order both to give a systematic philosophical analysis of Aristophanes and to explore comedy as philosophical and civic discourse. Regarding Aristophanes as producing "thought-provoking laughter," the volume considers Clouds, Wasps, Assemblywomen, and Lysistrata as discourses on eros, logos, and the issue of "measure," celebrating humanity even as they revel in its limits. In this view, Aristophanes demonstrates awareness of the concepts and ideas later espoused by Plato through his characters and situations. Although not always orthodox in his readings of philosophy and comedy, Freydberg does always acknowledge when he is reaching in his readings, and the end result is a fascinating exercise that provides a unique view of Aristophanes as a philosopher and comedy as a form of philosophy. Of particular interest is the consideration of the other and women in the city. Of more value to scholars and students of philosophy and classics than to the artists and scholars of theater, Freydberg's insights expose the underlying ideas in Greek comedy in a unique and significant way. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. — Choice"
Universityof Colorado at Denver - Robert Metcalf
[The] real asset of Freydberg's work is that he has turned us in the right direction to appreciate the philosophy implicit in comedy.
K. J. Wetmore Jr.]]>
Freydberg (philosophy, Koç Univ., Istanbul) sets Aristophanes' plays in dialogue with The Republic, The Symposium, and other texts by Plato in order both to give a systematic philosophical analysis of Aristophanes and to explore comedy as philosophical and civic discourse. Regarding Aristophanes as producing "thought-provoking laughter," the volume considers Clouds, Wasps, Assemblywomen, and Lysistrata as discourses on eros, logos, and the issue of "measure," celebrating humanity even as they revel in its limits. In this view, Aristophanes demonstrates awareness of the concepts and ideas later espoused by Plato through his characters and situations. Although not always orthodox in his readings of philosophy and comedy, Freydberg does always acknowledge when he is reaching in his readings, and the end result is a fascinating exercise that provides a unique view of Aristophanes as a philosopher and comedy as a form of philosophy. Of particular interest is the consideration of the other and women in the city. Of more value to scholars and students of philosophy and classics than to the artists and scholars of theater, Freydberg's insights expose the underlying ideas in Greek comedy in a unique and significant way. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. — Choice
K. J. Wetmore Jr.
Freydberg (philosophy, Koç Univ., Istanbul) sets Aristophanes' plays in dialogue with The Republic, The Symposium, and other texts by Plato in order both to give a systematic philosophical analysis of Aristophanes and to explore comedy as philosophical and civic discourse. Regarding Aristophanes as producing "thought-provoking laughter," the volume considers Clouds, Wasps, Assemblywomen, and Lysistrata as discourses on eros, logos, and the issue of "measure," celebrating humanity even as they revel in its limits. In this view, Aristophanes demonstrates awareness of the concepts and ideas later espoused by Plato through his characters and situations. Although not always orthodox in his readings of philosophy and comedy, Freydberg does always acknowledge when he is reaching in his readings, and the end result is a fascinating exercise that provides a unique view of Aristophanes as a philosopher and comedy as a form of philosophy. Of particular interest is the consideration of the other and women in the city. Of more value to scholars and students of philosophy and classics than to the artists and scholars of theater, Freydberg's insights expose the underlying ideas in Greek comedy in a unique and significant way. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. — Choice
Fairfield University - Sara Brill
[Opens] up Aristophanes' hilarious and vulgar texts to an exploration of their more subtle and complex underlying senses.
