Aristophanes : The Birds (Focus Classical Library) [Paperback]

Aristophanes (Author), Jeffrey Henderson (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

This is an English translation of Aristophanes’ greatest comedy the Birds and is the story of birds taking control of the government. Includes background material on the historical and cultural context of this work, suggestions for further reading, and notes. Focus Classical Library provides close translations with notes and essays to provide access to understanding Greek culture.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Translation in English with notes, map and introduction. One of Aristophanes greatest comedies. Considered by many to be his masterpiece, it is the story of birds taking control of the government, called in this translation Cloudcuckooland..

About the Author

Jeffrey Henderson (PhD Harvard) is William Goodwin Aurelio Professor of Greek Language and Literature at Boston University, and General Editor of the Loeb Classical Library. He is the author of groundbreaking translations and articles on Greek comic dramatists. His other translations for Focus Classical Library include Aristophanes’ "Lysistrata", "Clouds, "Frogs", "The Birds", and "Three Comedies: Acharnians, Lysistrata, Clouds."

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Co. (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941051870
• ISBN-13: 978-0941051873
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Classical & Early
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Greek & Roman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trusting Pisthetaerus builds a utopian city for the Birds, June 10, 2002

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Aristophanes : The Birds (Focus Classical Library) (Paperback)

The problem with "The Birds" ("Ornithes") is that for once Aristophanes does not seem to be attacking some specific abuse in Athens. Still, we suspect that even this little fantasy is not simply escapist entertainment. Certainly there are those who see it as a political satire about the imperialistic dreams that resulted in the disastrous invasion of Sicily (which happened the year before his play was produced in 414 B.C.). Then again, this could just be Aristophanes bemoaning the decline of Athens.

Pisthetaerus ("Trusting") and Euelpides ("Hopeful") have grown tired of life in Athens and decide to build a utopia in the sky with the help of the birds, which they will name Necphelococcygia (which translates roughly as "Cloud Cuckoo Land"). Pisthetaerus and his feathered friends have to fight off those unworthy humans, malefactors and public nuisances all, who try and join their utopia. Then there are the gods, who come to make some sort of agreement with the new city because they have created a bottleneck for sacrifices coming from earth.

Because it is a more general satire, "The Birds" tends to work better with younger audiences than most comedies by Aristophanes. Besides, the chorus of birds lends itself to fantastic costumes, which is always a plus with young theater goers. In studying any of the Greek plays that remain it is important to I have always maintained that in studying Greek plays you want to know the dramatic conventions of these plays like the distinction between episodes and stasimons (scenes and songs), the "agon" (a formal debate on the crucial issue of the play), and the "parabasis" (in which the Chorus partially abandons its dramatic role and addresses the audience directly). Understanding these really enhances your enjoyment of the play.

1.0 out of 5 stars AVOID THIS EDITION, July 11, 2011

By 

Clever Fellow - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aristophanes: The Birds (Paperback)

At all costs, please do not ruin your impression of Aristophanes by reading this translation of THE BIRDS. It is a stilted, wooden mess. I especially implore any teachers out there to not use this edition. Your students will hate Aristophanes and never forgive you. For a genuine translation of the play -- one that maintains its rhythmic humor and allows the characters to have personalities -- seek out R.H. Webb's translation in Bantam's The Complete Plays of Aristophanes.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential Aristophanes, April 13, 2010

By 

Bill R. Moore (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aristophanes : The Birds (Focus Classical Library) (Paperback)

The Birds is considered one of Aristophanes' best plays - a worthy work that is still funny, entertaining, and thought-provoking after nearly 2,500 years and also now of great historical value. Though not Aristophanes funniest or most bitingly satirical work, it may have the best story and is likely the most imaginative. The plot is typically absurd but very creatively so, the amazingly thought out setting is truly remarkable, and the characters are very memorable. The play is also a powerful reminder of the easily overlooked fact that Aristophanes was an excellent poet; it has some of his best - and funniest - songs. He was also of course a brilliant satirist, and this is a preeminent example. His methods are as always diverse, including slapstick, but there are serious themes beneath the silly surface. The Birds is indeed a subtle religious critique and a nuanced look at all forms of tyranny as well as resistance. It also deals with issues of escapism - perhaps a clever and even half-mocking self-reference - and the concept of utopia. Simply put, it is essential for anyone interested in Greek comedy.