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  3. The Play of Character in Plato's Dialogues
  • Cited by 114
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      22 September 2009
      27 June 2002
      ISBN:
      9780511482472
      9780521793001
      9780521031424
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511482472
      Dimensions:
      (228 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.876kg, 466 Pages
      Dimensions:
      (228 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.705kg, 468 Pages
      • Subjects:
      Classical Studies, Classical Literature, Ancient Philosophy
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    Subjects:
    Classical Studies, Classical Literature, Ancient Philosophy
    Information

    Book description

    This book attempts to bridge the gulf that still exists between 'literary' and 'philosophical' interpreters of Plato by looking at his use of characterization. Characterization is intrinsic to dramatic form and a concern with human character in an ethical sense pervades the dialogues on the discursive level. Form and content are further reciprocally related through Plato's discursive preoccupation with literary characterization. Two opening chapters examine the methodological issues involved in reading Plato 'as drama' and a set of questions surrounding Greek 'character' words (especially ethos), including ancient Greek views about the influence of dramatic character on an audience. The figure of Sokrates qua Platonic 'hero' also receives preliminary discussion. The remaining chapters offer close readings of select dialogues, chosen to show the wide range of ways in which Plato uses his characters, with special emphasis on the kaleidoscopic figure of Sokrates and on Plato's own relationship to his 'dramatic' hero.

    Reviews

    ‘Ruby Blondell provides a thoroughly researched, intelligently conceived, and well written book which addresses the specific manners in which Plato wrestles with and carries out this very complex task … Blondell has contributed an impressive piece of scholarship worthy of close and considered attention.’

    Jill Gordon - Colby College

    ‘… a thoroughly researched, intelligently conceived, and well written book … What she presents really is a new approach to understanding the evidence one is presented with in Plato’s dialogues … Blondell has contributed an impressive piece of scholarship worthy of close and considered attention.’

    Jill Gordon Source: Ancient Philosophy

    ‘… invigorating … a welcome addition [an] excellent book … [its] insights do shed real and new light on the dramatic composition of the dialogues … the book will certainly be important in the debate about Platonic form and content.’

    M. M. McCabe Source: The Times Literary Supplement

    ‘… important, stimulating.’

    Myles Burnyeat Source: London Review of Books

    ‘What is especially pleasing about Blondell’s book is that it puts its case so directly and clearly, as well as forcefully. I suggest that it should be treated as foundational for (so-called) literary interpretation of Plato.’

    Christopher Rowe Source: Phronesis

    '… this is a detailed and complex study of characterization containing many excellent individual observations.'

    Source: Journal of Hellenic Studies

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    Contents

    Contents

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