The Bible As Theatre [Paperback]

Shimon Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1898723516 | ISBN-13: 978-1898723516

Although the Old Testament has been thoroughly analysed as literature, and many of its highly dramatic chapters, stories, poetry and prophecies have been adapted for theatre, THE BIBLE AS THEATRE has hardly been dealt with. As a "threshold-medium", ancient theatre hovered between the holy and the profane. The hostility the Hebrews expressed toward the "indecencies" of theatre was the result of religious, cultural and economic oppression they suffered from Greeks, Romans and other peoples whose theatre was well developed. This book shows that the real fear the ancient Hebrews felt was not of the gaudy aspects of theatre but of its highly creative potential as a rival Creator. This work is dedicated to the theatrical potential of the Old Testament, exposing a refined sense of theatricality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Levy is a sensitive, often original interpreter of the Hebrew Bible, and this first book-length treatment opens an interesting dialogue about 'the Bible as Theatre'." -- Choice. "Rich and provocative readings of biblical texts." -- H-Net; H-Judaic. "This is a book to be read with the Bible at one's side: by treating these texts on a strictly factual, down-to-earth basis, with due reverence but without uncritical devotion, it not only deepens one's understanding of a multitude of cultural, social and historical aspects of its contents, but also re-tells these tremendous stories with riveting detail, emotion and suspense." -- Martin Esslin

About the Author

Shimon Levy

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Sussex Academic Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1898723516
• ISBN-13: 978-1898723516
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,537,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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