Wounded Heroes Vulnerability as a Virtue in Ancient GreekLiterature and Philosophy

• Main Author: Berzins McCoy, Marina (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2013
• Subjects: Classical texts; Literary studies: classical, early & medieval; Classical history / classical civilisation; Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500; plato; suffering; wounds; virtue; tragedy; homer; vulnerability; sophocles; aristotle; greek philosophy; Achilles; Alcibiades; Creative Commons; Neoptolemus; Oedipus; Philoctetes; Socrates; Theseus
• Online Access: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

Summary

Vulnerability is not often associated with virtue. Yet to be vulnerable is central to human experience. In this book, McCoy examines ways in which Greek epic, tragedy, and philosophy have important insights to offer about the nature of human vulnerability and how human beings might better come to terms with their own vulnerability. While studies of Greek heroism and virtue often focus on strength of character, prowess in war, or the achievement of honor for oneself or one's society, McCoy examines another side to Greek thought that extols the recognition and proper acceptance of vulnerability. McCoy begins with the literary works of Homer's Iliad, Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Philoctetes before expanding her analysis to philosophical works. There, she analyzes imagery of wounding in Plato's Gorgias and Symposium as well as Aristotle's work on the vulnerability inherent in friendship and an innovative interpretation of tragic catharsis in the Poetics. As much a work of philosophy as of classical textual analysis, McCoy's work aims at a deeper understanding of the virtues of vulnerability for individuals and societies alike.

Physical Description

1 electronic resource (246 p.)

ISBN

acprof:oso/9780199672783.001.0001
9780199672783

Access

Open Access