
Behind the Mask
Character and Society in Menander
Angela M. Heap(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 24. December 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
216 pages
978-1-350-19069-6 (ISBN)
Description
This new study of Menander casts fresh light not only on the techniques of the playwright but also on the literary and historical contexts of the plays. Menander (342/1-292/1 BCE) wrote over a hundred popular comedies, several of which were adapted by Plautus and Terence. Through them, he was a major influence on Shakespeare and Moliere. However, his work survived only in excerpts and quotation until some significant texts reappeared in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries on papyrus. The mystery of their loss and rediscovery has raised key questions surrounding the transmission of these and other Greek texts. Theatrical masks from the fourth century BCE discovered on the island of Lipari now also provide important material with which this book examines how the plays were originally performed.
A detailed investigation of their historical setting is offered which engages with recent debates on the importance of social status and citizenship in Menander's plays. The techniques of characterization are also examined, with particular focus on women, slaves and power relationships in his Epitrepontes. It appears that the audience was invited, sometimes subversively, behind the mask of this sophisticated comedy to discover that people do not always conform to literary expectations and social norms.
A detailed investigation of their historical setting is offered which engages with recent debates on the importance of social status and citizenship in Menander's plays. The techniques of characterization are also examined, with particular focus on women, slaves and power relationships in his Epitrepontes. It appears that the audience was invited, sometimes subversively, behind the mask of this sophisticated comedy to discover that people do not always conform to literary expectations and social norms.
Reviews / Votes
This book may be interesting to anyone wanting a general portrayal of the society forming the background to Menander's plays. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
9 bw images
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-19069-6 (9781350190696)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2019
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€36.49
Available for download

E-Book
06/2019
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€36.49
Available for download
Person
Angela Heap is a freelance scholar. She was formerly Librarian (chartered) and Fellow at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, UK.
Content
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Treasure on the Rock: Menander and the masks and figurines from Lipari
2. All the World's a Stage: Menander in performance
3. Alexander, Aristophanes and Beyond: Menander in context
4. Women in Epitrepontes: Habrotonon and Pamphile
5. Slaves in Epitrepontes: Habrotonon, Onesimos, Syros and Daos
Conclusion
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Treasure on the Rock: Menander and the masks and figurines from Lipari
2. All the World's a Stage: Menander in performance
3. Alexander, Aristophanes and Beyond: Menander in context
4. Women in Epitrepontes: Habrotonon and Pamphile
5. Slaves in Epitrepontes: Habrotonon, Onesimos, Syros and Daos
Conclusion
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index