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 bibliography certainly characterization Choephoroi chorus Cilissa clear Clytaemestra comic Conacher context contrast conventional Creon Creousa crucial Danaids Darius death Deianeira Deianeira's demonstrates discussion distinction divine dramatic effect Electra emphasizes epic Eteocles Euripides Eurystheus exchange extant fact focus focused function Garvie Greek Helen Heracleidae Heracles Herald heroes heroine Hippolytus Homer Hyllus identified important interaction Iolaus Karydas Kopreus Kovacs lamentation Lichas loyalty Luschnig masters Mastronarde Medea Menelaus messenger mistress nameless Nurse Nurse's Odysseus Oedipus offstage Old Tutor onstage Orestes particular passive Pelasgus Persian Phaedra plot portrayal present prologue Pythia Queen reaction relationship response role scene Servant significant slave Sophocles speaks speech subordination suggests Supplices Taplin Theoclymenus throughout the play tion traditional tragedy tragic Watchman Xerxes Xuthus γὰρ καὶ κηδεστής μῆτερ