Myth-Making in Aristophanes Innovation and Evolution in Attic Comedy

This book focuses on the development of Attic comedy as it is evinced in four fragmentary plays by Aristophanes: Polyidus, Daedalus, Aeolosicon, and Cocalus. The significance of these plays lies in the fact that they present characteristics which are not prominent in the extant plays. They are mythological comedies that Aristophanes might have composed as parodies of tragedies. The four dramas exhibit elements largely present in Middle and New Comedy, such as the use and re-use of myths, the production of large-scale burlesque, domestic plots, unfolded outside Attica. This is a book directed to the wider audience, to all enthusiasts of Classics. It facilitates the understanding of an aspect of Aristophanes' work, discernible only within his fragmentary dramas. This study thus revisits Old Comedy and enriches the scholarship with new insights and new discoveries regarding Aristophanes, his literary interactions, as well as his innovating and influential work.

About the Author :
Dr Effie Zagari completed her PhD in Classics at the University of Reading, UK, her MA in Classics at the University College London, UK, and her BA in Classical Philology at the University of Patras, Greece. She has taught various Greek and Roman civilisation modules at the University of Reading and the University of Winchester. She conducted her post-doctoral research at the University of the Peloponnese, Greece, continuing her research in Aristophanes' fragmentary mythological comedies. She has given talks at conferences and colloquia in Canada and Europe. She has published book reviews, translated a poetic collection, and edited forthcoming volumes of Greek and Roman literature. She has been involved in outreach programmes for the promotion of Classical Studies such as the Iris Project: Literacy through Latin, organised by the University of Oxford. Her research interests involve Ancient Greek Tragedy and Comedy, Roman Tragedy, Reception of Greek Drama.

Review :
'This book is a fine piece of research on Aristophanic fragmentary comedy that promotes the relative academic discussion; the testified points of view of the author and the relative arguments are original and innovative, focusing on less known "character" plays of Aristophanes and providing an exploitation of the fragments and an interpretation of the plot.'Dr Ioanna N PapadopoulouTenure Assistant Professor of Ancient Greek and Roman Literature and Theatre, University of the Peloponnese Faculty of Fine Arts, Greece'Ms Zagari's monograph on Aristophanes' use of myth constitutes a commendable effort in exploring a complex aspect of the playwright's work. The author exhibits a strong command of the subject matter, providing a thorough examination of Aristophanes' use of myth in his plays. Particularly noteworthy is the author's ability to introduce fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into the discussion. The author delves into the intricacies of four key plays in Aristophanes' repertoire, offering a comprehensive analysis of their treatment of mythological themes. Through meticulous examination, the monograph sheds light on how Aristophanes masterfully weaves myth into his comic narratives, shaping both the plot and the characters' development. The monograph's comprehensive coverage of the subject and its insightful interpretations offer valuable insights into Aristophanes' engagement with myth. Overall, the monograph serves as a valuable contribution to the study of Aristophanes.'Athina Papachrysostomou,Associate Professor of Ancient Greek Literature, University of Patras, Greece