Review (PDF)

Bacchae

[Woodruff's translation] is clear, fluent, and vigorous, well thought out, readable and forceful. The rhythms are right, ever-present but not too insistent or obvious. It can be spoken instead of read and so is viable as an acting version; and it keeps the lines of the plot well focused. The Introduction offers a good survey of critical approaches. The notes at the foot of the page are suitably brief and nonintrusive and give basic information for the non-specialist. --Charles Segal, Harvard University

Paperback: 126 pages

Publisher: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. (September 15, 1998)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0872203921

ISBN-13: 978-0872203921

Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches

Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #23,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #14 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Ancient & Classical #16 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Ancient #19 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Performing Arts > Theater

I am a classical history major with a focus on poetry and drama. I have actually read Bacchae in Attic Greek and I have to say that I find this translation to be one of the most fluid and natural of any that I have ever read. I would highky recommend this to anyone looking for a well-written, very gory introduction to Greek theatre. This edition is also great for using as a script, wheras many translations are good only for reading. I just put up a production using this translation and my actors were very comfortable with the wonderful language Woodruff uses.

A solid translation of the fascinating and passionate story of Dionysus in Thebes, although it lacks the lyricism of other translations. Woodruff's version is meant to be performed aloud, and so it has more of the feel of a play to it. Students of literature and classics might want a different version; students of drama and theatre would be interested in this translation.

The play of a king who defied and ridiculed a God, and was torn apart by women as punishment. This translation is supple, clear, poetic. The notes are instructive. The introduction does get a little tedious in reviewing every possible interpretation of the play, but if you're reading this for school, you might be grateful for it. A very fine job. He even (sort of) explains th ed cover of Elvis, whom he equates to the young God. Now that would be a staged version to see: Elvis as Bacchus!

Even though the circumstances aren't current - citizens running off to the countryside to worship Bacchae - and the drama is not what moderns expect - most of the action takes place offstage, there is something in this play that is moving and still speaks to the human experience - at least it did to me. Perhaps it's simply that the characters are thoroughly invested in what they believe to be right and true - and they are also deluded - and pay heavily, the heaviest possible price. Impossible not to be moved by that fundamental human experience even if circumstances are completely different now.I am not competent to judge the translation, other than it was easy to read. The notes were comprehensive, the opening introduction was very helpful.

This is nice contribution, especially in light of Woodruff's incredibly impressive theater background. His translation and ideas speak for themselves, and his emphasis of word order and adherence to the line numbering will be a great help to those with a layman's background looking to get acquainted with the original Greek. (Also, his choice of cover is perhaps the most precise and brilliant I have ever seen in a modern rendering of a classical work. ;)The only caveat is that, in the authors own words: "this text is primarily intended for classroom use." For those looking for a version specifically designed for actors, I highly recommend the Golder translation [[...]If I could only have three translations of this work in my library, it would be Woodruff, Arrowsmith and Golder!

When I read this play it was very helpful to read the forward to assist in my understanding of the ancient time in which it was written. Though I knew that Athens was a prominent country at that particular time it was not part of my general knowledge. It appears that this play was written with the crucifixion of Christ in mind. The author took great steps to ensure that the reader understood the mores of the time and introduced the actors very well. I thought the play read very well in English translation and was very pleased with the storyline, though we knew the outcome of the play. The one thing I did not like about this review is the choice to place a picture of Elvis Presley on the cover of the book. This was not necessary. On a final note, it is very interesting that the region depicted in this play has the same terrible issues going on in one's life in the current time. Even though Athens, Greece and the Middle East have been written about for thousands of years, violence against neighbors continues to thrive even today. Evidently, it matters not to anyone in that region of the world. It is true that we have the same issues here in our country, though not on such a scale. Athens gave us the underpinnings of a democracy and no country has gotten it right yet.

Used this for a production of a play I am directing - well worth it. If you're bothered by stodgy translations, then this one's for you.

Was the correct book I needed and was a good but interesting read. A little weird. Great place for school books at good prices

Bacchae and Other Plays: Iphigenia among the Taurians; Bacchae; Iphigenia at Aulis; Rhesus (Oxford World's Classics) Euripides V: Bacchae, Iphigenia in Aulis, The Cyclops, Rhesus (The Complete Greek Tragedies) Bacchae Bacchae (Dover Thrift Editions) The Bacchae of Euripides Euripides: Medea, Hippolytus, Heracles, Bacchae Euripides V: Electra, The Phoenician Women, The Bacchae (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 5) The Bacchae and Other Plays Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition