Scan barcode
redheadreading's review against another edition
3.0
Bought this for my Greek comedy course. I find I prefer Menander to Aristophanes, possibly because he is slightly easier to read! I do like the fantastical elements to Aristophanes' work but just sometimes feel it a bit hard going to read a whole play. (or in the case of my essay, as many as possible in a day :P) However, the translation is very good and I do think in performance it would be much more enjoyable.
gandalf's review against another edition
3.0
only read The Birds. lemme tell you, Aristophanes is a heck of a lot more fun than Greek tragedies. it's funny to see that the human sense of humor has pretty much not changed at all in thousands of years.
archytas's review against another edition
3.0
I read this one straight after Halliwell's more scholarly translation of Clouds, Women of Themosphoria and Frogs. Whereas that focused on the verse and beauty of Artisophanes, Barratt and Somerstein have produced something designed to be performed: the rapid-fire comedy hits in a very modern way, helpful staging is included, and the translations are significantly briefer than Halliwell's. The loss is not insignificant - the plays are bawdy and light, with less gravitas and poetry, but on the other hand, they are very funny, which is somewhat the point.
The historical notes are excellent, and I appreciated the chronological glimpse into the transition from lavish to impoverished and how that connected to the demise of Old Comedy.
The historical notes are excellent, and I appreciated the chronological glimpse into the transition from lavish to impoverished and how that connected to the demise of Old Comedy.
kylieboyer's review against another edition
4.0
i take back what i said about aristophanes this one is very funny i also would like to run away and live with the birds
More...