The Use of Anonymous Characters in Greek Tragedy: The Shaping of HeroesFlorence Yoon Anonymous characters appear in almost every extant Greek Tragedy, yet they have long been overlooked in critical scholarship. This book argues that the creation and use of anonymous figures is an important tool in the transformation of traditional mythological heroes into unique dramatic characters. Through close reading of the passages in which nameless characters appear, this study demonstrates the significant impact of their speech, actions, and identity on the characterization of the particular named heroes to whom they are attached. Exploring the boundaries between anonymity and naming in mythico-historical drama, the book draws attention to an important but neglected aspect of the genre, suggesting a new perspective from which to read, perform, and appreciate Greek Tragedy. |
Contents
Introduction Whats in a Name? | 1 |
Chapter One Classes | 9 |
Chapter Two Individuals | 39 |
Chapter Three Special Cases | 121 |
Chapter Four Contrasts and Comparisons | 141 |
Conclusion | 157 |
161 | |
177 | |
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The Use of Anonymous Characters in Greek Tragedy: The Shaping of Heroes Florence Yoon Limited preview - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
action Admetus Aegisthus Aegyptioi Aeschylus Agamemnon Alcestis Alcmene Andromache anonymous characters anonymous figures Antigone Apollo appearance argues Aristophanes audience audience's Autourgos certainly characterization Choephoroi chorus Clytaemestra comic context contrast conventional Creon Creousa crucial Danaids Darius death Deianeira Deianeira's demonstrates diferent discussion distinction divine dramatic effect Electra emphasizes epic Eteocles Euripidean Euripides Eurystheus exchange extant fact focus function Garvie Greek tragedy gures Helen Heracleidae Heracles Herald Hermes hero heroine Hippolytus Homer Hyllus identity important interaction Iolaus Karydas Kovacs lamentation Lichas Luschnig masters Mastronarde Medea Menelaus messenger mistress nameless Nurse Nurse’s Odysseus Oedipus Old Tutor onstage Orestes Oxford particular Pelasgus Persian Phaedra plot portrayal present prologue Pythia Queen reaction relationship role scene Servant signicant slave Sophocles specic speech subordination suggests Supplices Talthybius Taplin Theoclymenus throughout the play tion Trachiniae traditional tragic Watchman Xerxes Xuthus γρ κα κηδεστ µν τν