Greek Tragedy in Action

by Taplin,Oliver

• ISBN13: 9780415302517
• ISBN10: 041530251X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-11-15
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Oliver Taplin's seminal study was revolutionary in drawing out the significance of stage action in Greek tragedy at a time when plays were often read purely as texts, rather than understood as performances. Professor Taplin explores nine plays, including Aeschylus'agamemnonand Sophocles'Oedipus the King. The details of theatrical techniques and stage directions, used by playwrights to highlight key moments, are drawn out and related to the meaning of each play as a whole. With extensive translated quotations, the essential unity of action and speech in Greek tragedy is demonstrated. Now firmly established as a classic text,Greek Tragedy in Actionis even more relevant today, when performances of Greek tragedies and plays inspired by them have had such an extraordinary revival around the world.

Table of Contents

List of plates	viii
Preface	ix
The visual dimension of tragedy	1	(8)
Stage management and stage directions	9	(13)
Introduction to nine plays	22	(9)
Exits and entrances	31	(27)
Actions and gestures	58	(19)
Objects and tokens	77	(24)
Tableaux, noises and silences	101	(21)
Mirror scenes	122	(18)
Scenic sequence	140	(19)
Emotion and meaning in the theatre	159	(13)
Round plays in square theatres	172	(10)
Notes	182	(12)
Select bibliography	194	(5)
Index of passages discussed	199	(3)
General index	202