Wisdom and Folly in Euripides

Focuses on a major polarity in Euripidean drama, including its roots in the tradition and its reception in vase-painting and literature. In this book, leading international scholars discuss the polarity and the plays' ambiguities from various angles and theoretical perspectives, offering trenchant insights into moral, social and historical issues. A major, defining polarity in Euripidean drama, wisdom and folly, has never so far been the subject of a book-length study. The volume aims at filling this gap. Virtually all Euripidean characters, from gods to slaves, are subject to some aspect of folly and claim at least some measure of wisdom. The playwright’s sophisticated handling of the tradition and the pervasive ambiguity in his work add extra layers of complexity. Wisdom and folly become inextricably intertwined, as gods pursue their agendas and mortal characters struggle to control their destiny, deal with their troubles, confront their past, and chart their future. Their amoral or immoral behavior and various limitations often affect also their families and communities. Leading international scholars discuss wisdom and folly from various thematic angles and theoretical perspectives. A final section deals with the polarity’s reception in vase-painting and literature. The result is a wealth of fresh insights into moral, social and historical issues. The volume is of interest to students and scholars of classical drama and its reception, of philosophy, and of rhetoric

Collectif (Auteur) - Verschenen op 07/03/2016 bij De Gruyter Libri