Drama and Performance in Hellenistic Poetry

By M. A. Harder and M.A. Harder

This volume is devoted to aspects of performance in Hellenistic poetry.This theme is approached from various angles. Although drama has longbeen regarded as typical of fifth century Athens, there is an increasingawareness among classical scholars of the importance of drama also forthe Hellenistic period. In that period too drama was still written andperformed, but at the same time it also was an important object of studyand a source of inspiration for works in other genres, such as the epicof Apollonius Rhodius, for new literary forms like the idylls ofTheocritus or the mimiambs of Herodas, or for literary experiments suchas the extended messenger speech in the Alexandra of Lycophron. Besides, performance was never restricted to drama, but from the archaic periodonwards was essential to the presentation of poetry to an audience andthus remained an integral part of Greek cultural life in all periods, also in times of increasing literacy like the Hellenistic period.Therefore in this volume also epic and didactic poetry as well asshorter works from, e.g., a cultic, ritual or sympotic sphere have beenstudied from the point of view of performance. The various articles showthat the focus on performance is a fruitful perspective for looking atHellenistic poetry.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9042936541
• ISBN13: 9789042936546
• Release Date: October 2018
• Publisher: Peeters
• Length: 354 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.4"