The Poetry of Greek Tragedy

by Richmond Lattimore

Overview

Is Sophocles the poet "more important" than Sophocles the moralist, Sophocles the student of character, or Sophocles the storyteller? In this acclaimed work, eminent classicist Richmond Lattimore examines the complex and varied ways in which Greek poetry contributes to Greek drama. While acknowledging the difficulty of separating poetry—especially in translation—from other aspects of language, Lattimore offers keen insight into plays by Aeschylus (The Suppliant Maidens, The Persians, The Seven against Thebes, Prometheus Bound), Sophocles (Ajax, Oedipus Tyrannus), and Euripides (Medea, Helen, The Bacchae).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801872600
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2003
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.39(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Richmond Lattimore (1906–1984) was a professor of Greek at Bryn Mawr College and considered one of the twentieth century's leading translators of Greek classical literature. His many works of editing and translation include The Complete Greek Tragedies, The Odyssey of Homer, and Greek Lyrics.

Editorial Reviews

Lattimore's treatment is skillfully adapted to the needs of a partly non-classical audience, and will suit a wide reading public . . . [His] thoughts on the plays are illuminating, and all are stated with a freshness and vigor which make a readable and stimulating book.
—Classical Review

This is close, illuminating, deliberately modest criticism that lights up passage after passage of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
—Christian Science Monitor

Despite the intervening 45 years these essays have something refreshing to offer—that is, an opportunity to read what an accomplished poet makes of Greek tragedies as poetry.
—James Robson, Journal of Classics Teaching

From the Publisher

Lattimore's treatment is skillfully adapted to the needs of a partly non-classical audience, and will suit a wide reading public . . . [His] thoughts on the plays are illuminating, and all are stated with a freshness and vigor which make a readable and stimulating book.

Classical Review

Despite the intervening 45 years these essays have something refreshing to offer—that is, an opportunity to read what an accomplished poet makes of Greek tragedies as poetry.

Journal of Classics Teaching - James Robson

This is close, illuminating, deliberately modest criticism that lights up passage after passage of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.

Christian Science Monitor

Despite the intervening 45 years these essays have something refreshing to offer—that is, an opportunity to read what an accomplished poet makes of Greek tragedies as poetry.

— James Robson

Journal of Classics Teaching