The Birds and Other Plays

Name: The Birds and Other Plays
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780140449518
Price: 26.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Aristophanes

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Summary

The Birds and Other Plays by Aristophanes presents a collection of humorous plays exploring themes of society, politics, and human nature. In the titular play, two men fed up with their city's bureaucracy seek to establish a utopian society among the birds, leading to comedic chaos. Aristophanes uses satire and wit to critique contemporary Athenian life, creating timeless works that blend slapstick comedy with pointed social commentary.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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The Birds and Other Plays

$26⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection if you're captivated by the world of ancient Greek comedy and the clever wit of Aristophanes. Delve into a realm of fantastical themes and satirical humour, exploring the human condition through timeless and engaging narratives.

The Birds and Other Plays

Two cunning Athenians persuade the birds to build the utopian city of 'Much Cuckoo in the Clouds' in the sky, blockading the Olympian gods and installing themselves as new deities. The Knights is a venomous satire on Cleon, a prominent Athenian demagogue, who vies with a humble sausage-seller for the approval of the people.

Description

The plays in this volume all contain Aristophanes' trademark bawdy comedy and dazzling verbal agility.

In The Birds, two frustrated Athenians join the birds to build the utopian city of 'Much Cuckoo in the Clouds'. The Knights is a venomous satire on Cleon, a prominent Athenian demagogue, while The Assembly Women deals with the battle of the sexes as the women of Athens infiltrate the all-male Assembly in disguise.

The lengthy conflict with Sparta is the subject of Peace, inspired by the hope of a settlement in 421 BC. Wealth reflects on the economic catastrophe that hit Athens after the war.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Birds and Other Plays by Aristophanes is highly praised for its clever blend of comedy and sharp social commentary. Reviewers appreciate the timelessness of Aristophanes' humour and his ability to address political and societal issues in an engaging manner. The dialogue and characters are often highlighted as witty and vibrant, providing a vibrant portrait of ancient Greek life and thought.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140449518

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 September 2003

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

Translated by David Barrett
Translated by Alan H. Sommerstein
Introduction by Alan H. Sommerstein
Introduction by David Barrett

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 237g

Pages: 336

Collections

Aristophanes Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics

About the Author

Little is known about Aristophanes' life (c. 445BC-c.386BC), but there is a portrait of him in Plato's Symposium. His first comedy was produced when he was 20 and he wrote 40 plays in the course of his life. David Barrett has translated a number of ancient Greek texts for Penguin Classics.

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