Chattering Courtesans and Other Sardonic Sketches (Paperback)

Lucian

ISBN 10: 0140447024 / ISBN 13: 9780140447026

Editore: Penguin Books Ltd, London, 2004

Riguardo questo articolo

Paperback. A Greek-educated Syrian, Lucian was one of the most inventive and scathing satirists of the ancient world, whose witty pieces demonstrate a profound scepticism for religion and philosophy and encourage honest living and good sense. 'Chattering Courtesans' is a series of short dialogues in which the amusing gossip of 'kept women' gives rise to a discussion of more serious subjects such as love, sex and marriage. Other comic dialogues in this volume show Lucian making fun of fanaticism and mocking pretension, hypocrisy and the vanity of human wealth and power, while in the 'Diatribes' he targets a range of subjects, from scandal and money to death, to demonstrate the follies of contemporary life.In this new translation, Keith Sidwell captures Lucian's lively informal humour and the rich variety of styles he adopted. The introduction discusses the influence of earlier Greek writers and philosophers on Lucian's work, its range and diversity, and its importance in later European culture. Lucian exulted in the exposure of absurdity, and was capable of finding a comic angle on almost any subject. This book shows him conversing with his literary enemies, railing against hypocrisy and the vanity of human wealth and power, and taking a wry look at the power of lust and the unsatisfactory nature of deviant sexual practices. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Codice articolo 9780140447026

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Chattering Courtesans and Other Sardonic Sketches (Paperback)
• Editore: Penguin Books Ltd, London
• Data di pubblicazione: 2004
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0140447024
• ISBN 13: 9780140447026
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Edizione: prima edizione
• Condizione: new

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Described by a later Greek historian as "a man seriously committed to raising a laugh", Lucian exulted in the exposure of absurdity and the puncturing of pretension, and was capable of finding a comic angle on almost any subject. In this selection we see him conversing with his literary enemies, railing against hypocrisy and the vanity of human wealth and power, and taking a wry look at the power of lust and the unsatisfactory nature of deviant sexual practices.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Informazioni sull?autore

Lucian (AD c.125- c.200) was a Greek writer of prose satires. Many of his works are dialogues where mythological or historical figures are placed in ridiculous situations. He was influential on the later Humanist writers, including Thomas More and Erasmus.

Keith Sidwell is Professor of Latin and Greek at University College Cork. He is co-author of the language textbooks Reading Greek and Reading Latin, and author of Reading Medieval Latin and Lucian: a selection. He has published widely on Greek Tragedy, Greek Comedy, Lucian and his influence, and Medieval and Renaissance Latin literature.