The Seal of Orestes Self-Reference and Authority in Sophocles' Electra |
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| Author:
| Batchelder, Ann G. |
| Series title: | Greek Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches Ser. |
| ISBN: | 978-0-8476-7991-1 |
| Publication Date: | Dec 1994 |
| Publisher: | Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated
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| Book Format: | Paperback |
| List Price: | USD $53.00 |
Book Description:
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In this groundbreaking inquiry into the poetics of authenticity and authority in Sophocles' Electra, Batchelder looks at Aegisthus and Orestes as rival dramatists, who each use the illusions of the theater in a struggle for control of Mycenae. She demonstrates that the Seal of Orestes-the signet ring of his father-is the recognition token not only for Electra, but also for the entire play, revealing Electra as a self-referential play about play writing.
In this groundbreaking inquiry into the poetics of authenticity and authority in Sophocles' Electra, Batchelder looks at Aegisthus and Orestes as rival dramatists, who each use the illusions of the theater in a struggle for control of Mycenae. She demonstrates that the Seal of Orestes-the signet ring of his father-is the recognition token not only for Electra, but also for the entire play, revealing Electra as a self-referential play about play writing.