Performance and Identity in the Classical World
Performance and Identity in the Classical World by Anne Duncan, published by Cambridge University Press on June 30, 2011, is a reissue comprising 252 pages in English. This book explores the complex perceptions of actors in the classical world, who were often seen as both frauds and genuine embodiments of the characters they portrayed. Through a careful examination of various sources, including writings from elite intellectuals and theatrical anecdotes, the author delves into the duality of identity in performance, revealing the societal attitudes towards actors and their craft.
Readers will find a thorough investigation into the themes of impersonation and identity from the late fifth century BCE to the early Roman Empire. The study draws on dramatic texts and historical accounts to illustrate the uneasy fascination with actors, highlighting the tension between authenticity and artifice in performance. By engaging with both historical and dramatic sources, this book provides insights into the cultural significance of drama and its practitioners in ancient societies, making it a valuable resource for those interested in history and drama.
Official synopsis Publisher
Actors in the classical world were often viewed as frauds and impostors, capable of deliberately fabricating their identities. Conversely, they were sometimes viewed as possessed by the characters that they played, or as merely playing themselves onstage. Numerous sources reveal an uneasy fascination with actors and acting, from the writings of elite intellectuals (philosophers, orators, biographers, historians) to the abundant theatrical anecdotes that can be read as a body of “popular performance theory.” This study examines these sources, along with dramatic texts and addresses the issue of impersonation, from the late fifth century BCE to the early Roman Empire.
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