The Classic Text: Aristophanes

Aristophanes: The Classic Text: Traditions and Interpretations

*(121k)*

Aristophanes.
Lysistrata; English Version by Jack Brussell; Illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley and Ancient Athenian Artists. New York: Land's End Press, 1968.
Call Number: (SPL) PA 3875 .L8 1968a
Special Collections, Golda Meir Library

*(205k)*

In this edition of Lysistrata editor Jack Brussell seeks to deliver a translation of the play which does not hide the overt sexuality and eroticism he claims have been downplayed by previous translators. Unable to read Greek, Brussell has worked from other English translations to create what he says "will stand critical comparison with Aristophanes' Greek."

The illustrations are by artist Aubrey Beardsley as well as reproductions of Greek art. Of the illustrations in this edition, Brussell writes:

I know of two other illustrated editions of Lysistrata in English; one by Norman Lindsey, the other by Pablo Picasso. Lindsey's illustrations emphasize the sensuous attraction of the woman. Picasso's illustrations seemingly portray the martial bluster of man, the warrior. They did not visualize the phallophoric motive in Lysistrata. That wayward genius, Beardsley intuitively grasped the ithyphallicism in Lysistrata and in one Rabelasian guffaw he gave graphic substance to Aristophanes' eroticism, that healthy lust for life.

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Last edited on Tuesday, December 11, 2001.