Charles Segal Livres

Euripides' exploration of the god who transcends boundaries highlights the interplay between divinity, humanity, and the realms of reality and imagination. Charles Segal's analysis delves into the cult, setting, and imagery, revealing the play's deeper implications for myth, language, and theater. He argues that the Dionysiac poetics embody a worldview that embraces logical contradictions, allowing for a unique artistic expression. This reading emphasizes how tragedy can extend beyond its social and historical origins, inviting a richer understanding of its themes.

Focusing on major archaic and early classical Greek poets, this collection features in-depth essays analyzing works by Alcman, Sappho, and Pindar, among others. Segal's close readings explore the literary forms, language, and social contexts of early Greek lyric poetry. A central theme is the transient nature of human happiness, juxtaposed with the immortality that poetry offers against the backdrop of mortality. This scholarly work is vital for those studying ancient Greek poetry, providing insights into the poets' artistic aims and mythological influences.

This generous selection of published essays by the distinguished classicist Charles Segal represents over twenty years of critical inquiry into the questions of what Greek tragedy is...

Focusing on the themes of mortality and the human experience of dying, Charles Segal offers a fresh interpretation of Lucretius's poem, highlighting its significance in Western thought about death. He argues that Lucretius addresses the fears surrounding the dying process and the concept of nothingness, which were overlooked by Epicurus. By incorporating Roman perspectives on the body and drawing from epic and tragic poetry, Segal reveals how Lucretius promotes spiritual tranquillity through a nuanced understanding of corporeality and mortality.

Focusing on Seneca's influential tragedy, the book examines how poetic language shapes the perception of individual identity and personality. It delves into the complexities of conscious and unconscious emotional experiences, revealing the interplay between language and self-representation in Seneca's work. Through a close reading, it uncovers the nuances of character development and emotional depth, highlighting the significance of language in conveying a rich inner life.

This scholarly work delves into Pindar's Fourth Pythian ode, exploring its intricate mythical structures and poetic techniques. By merging historical and philological approaches with modern literary analysis, it uncovers the underlying themes and creative processes that shape Pindar's celebrated poetry, offering insights into the interplay between myth and literary expression.

This collection features fifteen essays that explore the pastoral poetry of Theocritus and Virgil, showcasing a range of insights previously published in various journals. The essays delve into themes, stylistic elements, and the historical context of these influential poets, offering a comprehensive analysis of their works and contributions to the genre.