Synopses & Reviews
This book explores the various meanings given to tragedy, from Aristotle, via Roman ideas and practices, to the middle ages.
Synopsis
'Tragedy' has been understood in a great variety of conflicting ways over the centuries, and the term has been applied to a wide range of literary works. In this book, H. A. Kelly explores the various meanings given to tragedy, from Aristotle, via Roman ideas and practices, to the middle ages. Referring to a wealth of texts, Professor Kelly demonstrates the importance of finding out what writers like Horace, Ovid, Dante and Chaucer meant by the term, and how they used it as a tool of interpretation and composition. The book ends with surveys of works designated as tragedies in England, France, Italy and Spain.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 223-243) and index.