Groaning tears : : ethical and dramatic aspects of suicide in Greek tragedy / / by Elise P. Garrison.

• Superior document: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica batava. Supplementum, 147
• Author: Garrison, Elise P.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, New York : : Brill,, 1995.
• Year of Publication: 1995
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Mnemosyne, Supplements 147.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (x, 210 pages)

Groaning Tears examines suicide in Greek tragedy in light of the fifth-century ethical climate. No full-scale work has previously been devoted to this pervasive topic. The particular focus of identifying suicide as a response to the expectations of popular ethics and social demands makes it useful for scholars and students of drama, ethics and sociology. Chapter one establishes the ethical background of audiences in the fifth century while chapters two through five examine suicide in the context of whole plays based on motivational distinctions: to avoid disgrace and preserve an honorable reputation; to avoid further suffering; to end grief; and to sacrifice oneself for a greater good. The final chapter considers a drama of lighter tone that presents suicide in all of its ethical and theatrical aspects.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / Costas Panayotakis -- Introduction / Costas Panayotakis -- The sociology of suicide / Costas Panayotakis -- To endure or to die honorably / Costas Panayotakis -- The suicide note: escape songs / Costas Panayotakis -- “Groaning tears”: suicide from grief / Costas Panayotakis -- Noble Suicide / Costas Panayotakis -- Conclusion: suicide in Euripides’ Helen / Costas Panayotakis -- Plot Summaries / Costas Panayotakis -- Select Bibliography / Costas Panayotakis -- Index Locorum / Costas Panayotakis -- General Index / Costas Panayotakis -- Supplements to Mnemosyne / J. M. Bremer , L. F. Janssen , H. Pinkster , H. W. Pleket , C. J. Ruijgh and P. H. Schrijvers.