Greek Theatre Modern Scholarship

this is a very selective list of the absolute necessities

Higgins - Theatre being linked to religion

“To attend the theatre was a religious duty and the responsibility of all pious citizens.”

Garvie - Dramatic irony, audience involvement in theatre

“The audience is, as it were, in the position of the gods themselves.”

Taplin - importance of the chorus (bridge)

"The chorus served as an ‘emotional bridge’ between the audience and the narrator, providing commentary and insight into the action and thus overcoming the limitations of only having 3 on stage."

Garvie - oedipus rex being like a detective story

‘detective story’

De Ste Croix - Aristophanes making his plays political

"I myself have not the slightest doubt that Aristophanes used many of his plays as vehicles for the expression of serious political views.”

Henderson - ‘Frogs’ seemed to have influence on the political landscape

Oligarchs and their supporters were given their rights again, Cleophon was prosecuted for treason the following year

Cartledge - societal role reversal in ‘Frogs’

“In comedy, there is an ingrained tendency for the norms of ordinary life to be suspended, subverted or even turned on their heads”

Macdowell - Aristophanes’ variety of humour

“Aristophanes shows considerable versatility in his use of different sorts of humour and fun.”

Dover - ‘Frogs’ and its use of physical props

“Frogs is unique among extant plays in providing us with the spectacle of a moving vehicle, Charon’s boat”

Bettendorf - frogs being designed for politics

“The primary function of the play, however, is not literary criticism but political action”

Segal - Dionysus’ character journey

by the end Dionysus has “attained a certain dignity”

Wyles - Oedipus backing Knox

“Within the play itself, it is oedipus’ own quest and character which motivates the action and leads to his realisation of the truth and suffering”

Finglass on Oedipus’ compassion

Oedipus is brought down by “a tragic virtue” - His humane concern for others […] leads him to persist in finding out the truth and therefore his own destruction.

`fagles on oedipus

Oedipus is his own destroyer

Stuttard on Bacchae

“Bacchae is one of Euripides’ most disturbing plays.”