Aristophanes: Frogs

Aristophanes' Frogs is a comedy about tragedy and a play about playmaking, exploring the Athenian literary scene, politics, and religious understanding. It presents the earliest direct criticism of theatre and the Underworld, and dramatizes the place of Mystery cults in the religious life of Athens. It is also funny, showcasing a range of comic techniques. This book explores these features in a series of short chapters designed to be accessible to a new reader of ancient comedy, offering a bold new interpretation of the play.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 176 pages
\n Publication date: 12 November 2020
\n Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Aristophanes' renowned play, Frogs (405 BCE), stands as one of the most celebrated ancient comedies. This comprehensive introduction serves as a guide for students, delving into the play's themes, contemporary contexts, and reception history. Frogs offers a profound exploration of the Athenian literary scene, the politics of Athens during the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War, and the religious understanding of the fifth-century city. It presents the earliest direct criticism of theatre, providing a vivid depiction of the Underworld and showcasing the significance of Mystery cults in the religious life of Athens. Moreover, the play vividly dramatizes the role of these cults in shaping political concerns among the Athenian citizens. Remarkably, Frogs is not only intellectually stimulating but also genuinely hilarious, employing a diverse range of comedic techniques such as literary and musical parody, political invective, grotesque distortion, wordplay, prop comedy, and amusing costumes. This play has left an indelible mark on the literary world, inspiring notable works by authors like Henry Fielding, George Bernard Shaw, and Tom Stoppard.

In this book, we embark on a journey to explore the rich tapestry of Frogs. We examine its various features through a series of concise chapters, each designed to be accessible to novice readers of ancient comedy. The book follows a linear structure, addressing a range of themes while paying particular attention to stagecraft and performance. Furthermore, we present a bold new interpretation of the play, suggesting that Frogs was not the first instance where Euripides and Aeschylus engaged in a competitive artistic rivalry.

Through our exploration, we hope to shed light on the enduring legacy of Frogs and its profound impact on the world of theatre and literature. Whether you are a student, scholar, or simply a lover of ancient comedy, this book offers a valuable entry point into the rich world of Aristophanes and his masterful play.

\n Weight: 236g\n
Dimension: 139 x 217 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781350080911\n \n