Tragedy in Transition

Tragedy in Transition is an innovative and exciting introduction to the theory and practice of tragedy. Looks at a broad range of topics in the field of tragedy in literature, from ancient to contemporary times Explores the links between writers from different times and cultures Focuses on the reception of classical texts in subsequent literatures, and discusses their treatment in a range of media Surveys the lasting influence of the most resonant narratives in tragedy Contemplates exciting and unexpected combinations of text and topic among them the relationship between tragedy and childhood, science fiction, and the role of the gods

Table of Contents:
Notes on Contributors. Introduction: Tragedy in Transition: Sarah Annes Brown (Anglia Ruskin University). 1. Trojan Suffering, Tragic Gods and Transhistorical Metaphysics: Edith Hall (Royal Holloway, University of London). 2. Hardcore Tragedy: Ewan Fernie (Royal Holloway, University of London). 3. Tragedy and Disgust: Robert Douglas-Fairhurst (Magdalen College, University of Oxford). 4. Tragedy and the Sign of the Eclipse: Anne C. Henry (University of Cambridge). 5. Jonson's too Roman Plays: From Julius Caesar to Sejanus and Catiline: John Henderson (King’s College, University of Cambridge). 6. Neoclassicisms: Raphael Lyne (New Hall, University of Cambridge). 7. Tragedy and Exile: Jennifer Wallace (Peterhouse, University of Cambridge). 8. Narratives of Tragic Empathy: Prometheus Bound and Frankenstein: Vanda Zajko (Bristol University). 9. Tragedy and Childhood: Peter Hollindale (formerly of University of York). 10. Parricide versus Filicide: Oedipus and Medea on the Modern Stage: Fiona Macintosh (St Cross College, University of Oxford). 11. 'Suffering into Wisdom': The Tragedy of Wilde: Alison Hennegan (Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge). 12. Tarzan of Athens: Wilson Knight and Wole Soyinka: Neil Rhodes (University of St Andrews). 13. Postmodern Tragedy?: Returning to John Ford: Mark Houlahan (University of Waikato, New Zealand). 14. Tragedy and the Future: Rowland Wymer (Anglia Ruskin University). Afterword: Ending Tragedy: Catherine Silverstone (Anglia Ruskin University). Index

About the Author :
Sarah Annes Brown is Chair of the Department of English, Communication, Film, and Media at Anglia Ruskin University. In addition to numerous short pieces on various aspects of classical reception, her publications include The Metamorphosis of Ovid: From Chaucer to Ted Hughes, Ovid: Myth and Metamorphosis, and Nicholas Rowe’s translation of Lucan’s Pharsalia, which she co-edited with Charles Martindale. She is currently writing a book about transhistoricism. Catherine Silverstone is Lecturer in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at Queen Mary, University of London. She has written several articles on Shakespeare and performance. She is currently writing a book entitled Shakespeare and Trauma: Contemporary Performances on Stage and Screen.

Review :
"Sarah Annes Brown and Catherine Silverstone have assembled fourteen essays that adopt a 'transhistorical' approach in their edited collection, Tragedy in Transition. Although not centred in early modern drama, Jonson, John Ford, and especially Shakespeare are prominently featured in this superb, wide-ranging volume that extends chronologically from Sophocles to filmmaker Quentin Tarentino." (Studies in English Literature, July 2009) "[It] was first voiced in 1961, that the twentieth century saw 'the death of tragedy' … .We can swallow this whole or attend to other, more meliorist perspectives--offered by Sarah Annes Brown and Catherine Silverstone in another timely collection of essays, Tragedy in Transition." (Times Literary Supplement, January 2009) "Setting the agenda for further research of this type." (The Classical Review, 2009)