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Book cover of Sophocles In an Hour
Ancient Greek Drama - Literary Criticism, Theater - History & Criticism, Theater - General & Miscellaneous, General & Miscellaneous Performing Arts

Sophocles In an Hour

by Carl Mueller
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Overview

When he was not writing tragedies, acting in his own plays, and innovating ancient Greek theater, Sophocles served as an ordained priest at a temple for the god of medicine. Thinking about the end of life, Sophocles began outlining Oedipus the King, a tragedy that examines fate, death, and the mysterious depths of the human psyche themes that he explored in all of his masterful plays.

Setting the playwright in context to his personal life, social, historical and political events, other writers of influence, and more, you will quickly gain a deep understanding of Sophocles and the plays he wrote. Read Sophocles in an Hour and experience his plays like never before. Know the playwright, love the play!

The book features:

β€’ Sophocles in an Hour, the main essay of the book

β€’ Sophocles In a Minute, a snapshot chronology

β€’ A complete listing of Sophocles' work

β€’ A list of Sophocles' contemporaries in all fields

β€’ Excerpts from Sophocles' significant works

β€’ An extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader

β€’ An index of the main essay.

Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.

Synopsis

When he was not writing tragedies, acting in his own plays, and innovating ancient Greek theater, Sophocles served as an ordained priest at a temple for the god of medicine. Thinking about the end of life, Sophocles began outlining Oedipus the King, a tragedy that examines fate, death, and the mysterious depths of the human psyche themes that he explored in all of his masterful plays.

Setting the playwright in context to his personal life, social, historical and political events, other writers of influence, and more, you will quickly gain a deep understanding of Sophocles and the plays he wrote. Read Sophocles in an Hour and experience his plays like never before. Know the playwright, love the play!

The book features:

• Sophocles in an Hour, the main essay of the book

• Sophocles In a Minute, a snapshot chronology

• A complete listing of Sophocles' work

• A list of Sophocles' contemporaries in all fields

• Excerpts from Sophocles' significant works

• An extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader

• An index of the main essay.

Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.

Examiner.com

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a quick and easy alternative to Wikipedia ...

About the Author, Carl Mueller

Carl R. Mueller was a professor in the Department of Theater at the University of California, Los Angeles, from 1967 until his death in 2008. There he directed and taught theater history, criticism, dramatic literature, and playwriting. A translator for more than forty years, he translated and published works by Büchner, Brecht, Wedekind, Hauptmann, Hofmannsthal, and Hebbel, to name a few. For Smith and Kraus he translated individual volumes of plays by Schnitzler, Strindberg, Pirandello, Kleist, Goethe, and Wedekind and all four major Greek playwrights. His translations have been performed in every English-speaking country and have appeared on BBC-TV.

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Editorials

American Theatre Magazine

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a kind of Great Playwrights for Dummies series ...they are brisk and lively

Examiner.com

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a quick and easy alternative to Wikipedia ...

LA Times Online

Is there a more trustworthy source [than Wikipedia] that can offer a quick fix of theatrical knowledge? The publishing house Smith & Kraus perhaps has the answer... ? a kind of Red Bull for theater buffs ...

Midwest Book Review

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is]...remarkable....outstanding, yet inexpensive, and thoroughly 'reader frendly', making it a strongly recommended supplement for academic curriculums, community theater groups, and public library collections.

Stage Directions

These 27 [of the Playwrights in an Hour Series] books should be especially welcomed by actors and directors.

The Dartmouth

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a succinct crash course on the lives of 27 influential dramatists throughout history ...

Washington Post

... each book [of the Playwrights in an Hour Series] contains a wealth of information ... that will get any novice out of a date jam or provide a veteran playgoer with fresh insights on an old favorite... . The series delivers succinctness with depth.

Book Details

Published
April 1, 2010
Publisher
In An Hour Books
Pages
112
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781936232260

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