Author |
Aristophanes, 447? BCE-386? BCE |
Title |
The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1
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Note |
With Translator's Foreword, an Introduction to each Comedy, and Elucidatory Notes
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Contents |
The knights -- The Acharnians -- Peace -- Lysistrata -- The clouds.
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Credits |
Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Thomas Berger, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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Summary |
"The Eleven Comedies, Volume 1" by Aristophanes is a collection of classic comedic plays likely composed in the 5th century BC. These works exemplify the genre of Old Comedy, characterized by its satirical take on contemporary Athenian society, politics, and culture during the time of the Peloponnesian War. The collection includes significant plays such as "The Knights," "Lysistrata," and "The Clouds," which feature a range of humorous characters and themes, often poking fun at prominent figures and the absurdities of democracy. At the start of the volume, Aristophanes is introduced as a transformative figure in comic theatre, reflecting on the political and social landscape of Athens. The opening of the translation includes a foreword that sets the tone for the work, emphasizing its modern relevance despite being ancient. It discusses the distinct characteristics of Aristophanes’ style while providing an overview of the themes each comedy addresses, such as the critiques of famous political figures like Cleon and the antics of ordinary Athenian citizens navigating their lives amidst political turmoil. The opening effectively invites the reader to appreciate the dynamic interplay of humor, satire, and insightful commentary embedded within the comedies, all resonating with themes still pertinent today. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
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Subject |
Comedies
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Subject |
Greek drama (Comedy) -- Translations into English
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Subject |
Athens (Greece) -- Drama
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Subject |
Aristophanes -- Translations into English
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
8688 |
Release Date |
Aug 1, 2005 |
Most Recently Updated |
Jan 2, 2021 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
231 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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