The maculate muse

"The pervasive and unrestrained use of obscenity has long been acknowledged as a major feature of fifth-century Attic Comedy. This acclaimed book, now in a new edition, offers both a comprehensive discussion of the dynamics of Greek obscenity and a detailed commentary on the terminology itself. After contrasting the Greek notion of obscenity with modern-day ideas, Henderson discusses obscenity's role in the development of Attic Comedy, its historical origins, varieties, and dramatic function. His analysis of obscene terminology sheds new light on Greek culture. Book jacket."--Jacket.