In the Wake of Medea: Neoclassical Theater and the Arts of Destruction

In the Wake of Medea explores the persistence of violence in seventeenth-century French political dramas,contextualizing it in a longer literary and philosophical history from Ovid to Pasolini. The book emphasizes the rhetorical,literary,and performance strategies through which violence persists,using the mythological figure of Medea as an example. It also explores the Medean presence as a model of radically persistent and disruptive outsiderness,both for classical theater and for its wake in literary theory. The book recognizes the violence within these tragedies to explain why violence remains so integral to literature and arts today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2020
Publisher: Fordham University Press

In the captivating realm of seventeenth-century French political dramas, "In the Wake of Medea" delves into the profound examination of violence. Traditionally, French tragedy has been perceived as a passionless and cerebral genre, shunning all forms of physical aggression. However, this thought-provoking book embarks on a captivating exploration, unveiling the intricate rhetorical, literary, and performance strategies that perpetuate violence, contextualizing it within a rich literary and philosophical heritage that spans from the ancient Greek poet Ovid to the renowned Italian filmmaker Pasolini.

The mythological figure of Medea, a foreign woman who commits acts of unspeakable brutality, including the murder of her brother, the assassination of kings, the destruction of Corinth, and the infanticide of her own children, serves as a poignant illustration of the enduring presence of violence in literature and art. Medea, a refugee who is both welcomed and feared, embodies a paradoxical existence that challenges the ethical paradigms of Western philosophy. She confirms the social structures while simultaneously threatening their integrity, offering an alternative perspective to the renowned ethical framework of Antigone.

Through the lens of Cherbuliez, the book explores the Medean presence, a model of radical persistence and disruptive outsiderness that extends beyond classical theater and permeates the realm of literary theory. The author meticulously examines the full spectrum of this Medean presence, unraveling its intricate tapestry in treatments of the character Medea and in works that figuratively evoke a Medean presence, encompassing a wide array of neoclassical political theater. From the renowned tragedies of Racine and Corneille to spectacular machine plays, Neo-Stoic parables, and didactic Christian theater, the book delves into the diverse expressions of this Medean influence.

"In the Wake of Medea" recognizes the inherent violence within these tragedies, recognizing its significance in explaining why violence continues to hold a profound place in literature and the arts today. By delving into the complexities of Medea's character and the broader Medean presence, the book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the enduring power of violence and its impact on human society. It serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of classical theater and its ability to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780823287826