Dolos and Dikê in Sophokles' Elektra / by Leona MacLeod.

• Superior document: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum ; 219
• Author: MacLeod, Leona.
• Year of Publication: 2001
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum ; 219.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (221 p.)
• Notes: Originally presented as author's thesis (Ph. D)--Dalhousie University.

The main problem facing critics of Sophokles' Elektra has always been understanding the presentation of the vengeance and the nature of justice it represents. This volume addresses the ethical issues of this play through an analysis of the language and argumentation which the characters use to explain and justify their behaviour. The focus is on the examination of the themes of aidôs and dolos , and the way in which each contributes to our overall understanding of the vengeance as an act which, for all its justice, remains shameful. By exploring the union between these two contradictory elements, this study exposes the ethical complexity of Sophokles' treatment of the vengeance theme. Dolos andamp; Dikê contains a useful critique of recent interpretative approaches to the play, a full bibliography, and a complete index of passages cited.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- ABBREVIATIONS AND EDITIONS -- PREFACE -- INTRODUCTION -- PROLOGOS: ORESTES AND ELEKTRA -- ELEKTRA AND THE CHORUS: THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY -- ELEKTRA AND CHRYSOTHEMIS I: THE SOPHRON CITIZEN VERSUS FEMALE SOPHROSYNE -- ELEKTRA AND KLYTAIMNESTRA: DIKE VS DIKE? -- THE ‘DEATH' OF ORESTES -- ELEKTRA AND CHRYSOTHEMIS II: CIVIC ANDREIA AND FEMALE SOPHROSYNE -- ELEKTRA AND ORESTES: REUNION AND VENGEANCE -- CONCLUSION -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- GLOSSARY OF TERMS -- GENERAL INDEX -- INDEX OF PASSAGES CITED -- SUPPLEMENTS TO MNEMOSYNE.