Greek tragedy in action

By Oliver Taplin

Book Overview

Oliver Taplin's seminal study was revolutionary in drawing out the significance of stage action in Greek tragedy at a time when plays were often read purely as texts, rather than understood as performances. Professor Taplin explores nine plays, including Aeschylus' "agamemnon" and Sophocles' "Oedipus the King." The details of theatrical techniques and stage directions, used by playwrights to highlight key moments, are drawn out and related to the meaning of each play as a whole. With extensive translated quotations, the essential unity of action and speech in Greek tragedy is demonstrated.Now firmly established as a classic text, "Greek Tragedy in Action" is even more relevant today, when performances of Greek tragedies and plays inspired by them have had such an extraordinary revival around the world.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520037049
• ISBN13: 9780520037045
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Must-have for serious students of Greek drama

It is impossible to study Greek tragedy without encountering this book in everyone's footnotes. Taplin's landmark study not only opened up new (very modern) ways of looking at his subject; it also is very readable!