Theology and Existentialism in Aeschylus

Written in the Cosmos

Richard Rader

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Hardback

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English

Routledge
17 December 2014

Literary studies: plays & playwrights; History of Western philosophy

Series: Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies

Theology and Existentialism in Aeschylus revivifies the complex question of fate and freedom in the tragedies of the famous Greek playwright. Starting with Sartre’s insights about radical existential freedom, this book shows that Aeschylus is concerned with the ethical ramifications of surrendering our lives to fatalism (gods, curses, inherited guilt) and thoroughly interrogates the plays for their complex insights into theology and human motivation. But can we reconcile the radical freedom of existentialism and the seemingly fatal world of tragedy, where gods and curses and necessities wreak havoc on individual autonomy? If forces beyond our control or comprehension are influencing our lives, what happens to choice? How are we to conceive of ethics in a world studiously indifferent to our choices?

In this book, author Ric Rader demonstrates that few understood the importance of these questions better than the tragedians, whose literature dealt with a central theological concern: What is a god? And how does god affect, impinge upon, or even enable human freedom? Perhaps more importantly: If god is dead, is everything possible, or nothing? Tragedy holds the preeminent position with regard to these questions, and Aeschylus, our earliest surviving tragedian, is the best witness to these complex theological issues.

By: Richard Rader
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 430g
ISBN: 9781138796737
ISBN 10: 1138796735
Series: Routledge Monographs in Classical Studies
Pages: 222
Publication Date: 17 December 2014
Audience: College/higher education , Primary , A / AS level
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction: Written in the Cosmos 1. The Radical Theology of Prometheus Bound or On Prometheus’ God Problem 2. The Curse of Inherited Guilt in Seven against Thebes 3. The Necessity of Agamemnon 4. Fatal Aftermaths: Libation-Bearers and Eumenides

Richard Rader teaches Latin and Greek at Montgomery Bell Academy, USA. He was Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, USA. Prior to UCSB he held a Mellon Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship at USC. He is co-editor of The Enigmatic Context: Approaches to Greek Drama (2013).