Metapoetry in EuripidesMetapoetry in Euripides is the first detailed study of the self-conscious literary devices applied within Euripidean drama and how these are interwoven with issues of thematic importance, whether social, theological, or political. In the volume, Torrance argues that Euripides employed a complex system of metapoetic strategies in order to draw the audience's attention to the novelty of his compositions. The metapoetic strategies discussed include intertextual allusions to earlier poetic texts (especially to Homer, Aeschylus and Sophocles) which are often developed around unusual and memorable language or imagery, deployment of recognizable trigger words referring to plot construction, novelties or secondary status, and self-conscious references to fiction implied through allusion to writing. Torrance also looks at and compares metapoetic techniques used in tragedy, satyr-drama, and old comedy to demonstrate that the Greek tragedians commonly exploited metapoetic strategies, and that metapoetry is more pervasive in Euripides than in the other tragedians. While Euripides shares some metapoetic techniques with old comedy, these remain implicit in his tragedies (but not in his satyr-dramas). |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
1 Euripides and the Oresteia | 13 |
2 Intertextual Ekphrasis | 63 |
3 Writing and SelfConscious Mythopo275isis | 135 |
4 The Trojan War | 183 |
5 Tragedy Comedy and Euripides | 267 |
Conclusion | 299 |
Bibliography | 303 |
| 333 | |
| 353 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Achilles Adrastus Aeschylean Aeschylus Agamemnon allusion Andromache appears appropriate argued Aristophanes associated Athena Athenian attention audience become Chapter character chorus claims clear comedy comic connection context contrast Cyclops death described Dionysus discussed drama draws earlier effect Electra epic Eteocles Euripidean Euripides example exploitation expression fact fiction figure fragment functions further Greek tragedy Hecuba Helen Hermione Hippolytus Homeric Iliad important intertextual Iphigenia issue language letter literary meaning Menelaus metaphor metapoetic metatheatrical murder Muses mythos Neoptolemus notes observes Odysseus opening Oresteia Orestes passage performance Persians Philoctetes play plot poet poetic poetry Polynices presented question recognition reference reflect remains response reversal satyr-drama says scene scholars seems sense Seven shield ships significant Sommerstein song Sophocles speech stage story suggests term Theseus tradition tragic Trojan Women Troy weaving wine writing written