The Gentle, Jealous God - (Bloomsbury Studies in Classical Reception) by Simon Perris (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Euripides' Bacchae is the magnum opus of the ancient world's most popular dramatist and the most modern, perhaps postmodern, of Greek tragedies. Twentieth-century poets and playwrights have often turned their hand to Bacchae, leaving the play with an especially rich and varied translation history. It has also been subjected to several fashions of criticism and interpretation over the years, all reflected in, influencing, and influenced by translation. The Gentle, Jealous God introduces the play and surveys its wider reception; examines a selection of English translations from the early 20th century to the early 21st, setting them in their social, intellectual, and cultural context; and argues, finally, that Dionysus and Bacchae remain potent cultural symbols even now.

Simon Perris presents a fascinating cultural history of one of world theatre's landmark classics. He explores the reception of Dionysus, Bacchae, and the classical ideal in a violent and turmoil-ridden era. And he demonstrates by example that translation matters, or should matter, to readers, writers, actors, directors, students, and scholars of ancient drama.

Review Quotes

As the first book devoted to the translation history of Euripides' Bacchae into English from the early twentieth century onwards, The Gentle, Jealous God breaks important new ground. With sensitive close readings and scrupulous attention to detail, this rich study demonstrates unequivocally that translation history must play a central role in performance histories of the ancient plays.
Fiona Macintosh, Director of The Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama (APGRD) and Professor of Classical Reception, University of Oxford, UK

Perris' deft choice of Bacchae translations, theoretical sophistication, understanding of literary movements, and analysis of poetic and theatrical techniques are brilliant, and his writing is so clear that both scholars and students will benefit. The chapter on Greig's version with its "radical authenticity" is especially stunning. A monumental achievement!
Mary-Kay Gamel, Professor Emerita of Classics, Comparative Literature and Theater Arts, University of California Santa Cruz, USA

Perris's book provides interesting insights into Bacchae and the controversies of the translation debate.
Morning Star Online

About the Author

Simon Perris is Senior Lecturer in Classics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He has published numerous articles on Greek tragedy and classical reception.