Antipodean Antiquities: Classical Reception Down Under

The Australasian Classical Tradition is explored in this volume through literature, film, theatre, and fine art, interrogating the interactions between Mediterranean Antiquity and the antipodean worlds of New Zealand and Australia. It fills a gap in the literature and offers opportunities for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary analysis with well-known Western authors and artists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Classical Reception Studies is a vibrant and dynamic field that brings together leading and emerging scholars from around the world to explore the under-represented area of the Australasian Classical Tradition. This volume focuses on the interactions between Mediterranean Antiquity and the antipodean worlds of New Zealand and Australia through the lenses of literature, film, theatre, and fine art. It is of interest to scholars across the globe who research the influence of antiquity on modern literature, film, theatre, and fine art, and it fills a decisive gap in the literature by bringing antipodean research into the spotlight.

The volume begins with a contextual introduction to the field, which provides a brief overview of the history and development of Classical Reception Studies. It then moves on to six parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

Part 1: The Lord of the Rings and Xena: Warrior Princess Franchises

This part explores the influence of the Lord of the Rings and Xena: Warrior Princess franchises on modern literature, film, theatre, and fine art. It examines the ways in which these franchises have been adapted and reinterpreted in different cultural contexts, and how they have contributed to the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

Part 2: Important Artists

This part focuses on the work of important artists such as Sidney Nolan and local authors whose work offers opportunities for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary analysis with well-known Western authors and artists. It examines the ways in which these artists have influenced the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition, and how their work has been received by audiences in different parts of the world.

Part 3: Literature

This part explores the literature of the Australasian Classical Tradition, including works by authors such as Homer, Virgil, and Shakespeare. It examines the ways in which these works have been translated and adapted into different cultural contexts, and how they have contributed to the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

Part 4: Film

This part explores the film of the Australasian Classical Tradition, including works by directors such as Peter Jackson and George Miller. It examines the ways in which these films have been adapted and reinterpreted in different cultural contexts, and how they have contributed to the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

Part 5: Theatre

This part explores the theatre of the Australasian Classical Tradition, including works by playwrights such as Sophocles and Shakespeare. It examines the ways in which these plays have been adapted and reinterpreted in different cultural contexts, and how they have contributed to the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

Part 6: Fine Art

This part explores the fine art of the Australasian Classical Tradition, including works by artists such as Sidney Nolan and John Olsen. It examines the ways in which these works have been influenced by Mediterranean Antiquity, and how they have contributed to the development of the Australasian Classical Tradition.

In conclusion, Classical Reception Studies is a vital and exciting field that brings together leading and emerging scholars from around the world to explore the under-represented area of the Australasian Classical Tradition. This volume fills a decisive gap in the literature by bringing antipodean research into the spotlight, and it offers valuable insights into the ways in which Mediterranean Antiquity has influenced modern literature, film, theatre, and fine art. Whether you are a scholar of Classical Reception Studies or simply interested in the history and development of the Australasian Classical Tradition, this volume is essential reading.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350183254