The Greek Theater and Its Drama

A scholarly publication written in the early 20th century. This work provides an in-depth analysis of the origins, evolution, and significance of Greek drama and theater, exploring foundational elements such as tragedy and comedy and their social and cultural contexts in ancient Greece. The opening of the book establishes the author's intentions and methods, outlining the goals of the text, which include elaborating on the unique conventions of Greek drama shaped by its environment, emphasizing the importance of dramatic technique, and comparing ancient practices with modern parallels. Flickinger expresses a commitment to making Greek theater more accessible to readers unfamiliar with classical literature while integrating recent scholarship to present a comprehensive survey of this crucial aspect of Western cultural heritage. He acknowledges existing debates in dramatic criticism regarding the nature of theater and aims to synthesize various perspectives to enrich the understanding of Greek drama's development and relevance.