{"product_id":"film-and-the-classical-epic-tradition-9780199542925","title":"Film and the Classical Epic Tradition","description":"Why is it that some films are called epics? Audiences know that such films will be large-scale, spectacular productions, but does the term have deeper cultural significance? In antiquity, epic was a prestigious genre whose stories ranged from the Trojan War to the founding of Rome, and dealt with important themes including heroism, the gods, military prowess, and spectacle. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFilm and the Classical Epic Tradition\u003c\/em\u003e, Joanna Paul explores the relationship between films set in the ancient world and the classical epic tradition, arguing that there is a meaningful connection between the literary and cinematic genres. This relationship is particularly apparent in films which adapt classical epic texts for the screen, such as \u003cem\u003eUlysses\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eTroy\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eO Brother Where Art Thou\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eJason and the Argonauts\u003c\/em\u003e. Beginning with an assessment of the films, Paul discusses a variety of themes, such as heroism and \u003cem\u003ekleos\u003c\/em\u003e, the depiction of the gods, and narrative structure. She then considers a series of case-studies of Hollywood historical epics which further demonstrate the ways in which cinema engages with the themes of classical epic. The relationship between \u003cem\u003eGladiator\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Fall of the Roman Empire\u003c\/em\u003e demonstrates the importance of tradition, while the archetypal epic themes of heroism and spectacle are explored through, respectively, \u003cem\u003eSpartacus\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBen-Hur\u003c\/em\u003e. The concluding chapters look at common tropes surrounding epic, especially focusing on the performance of epic in the ancient and modern worlds, its perceived social role, and the widespread parody of epic in both literature and cinema. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough this careful consideration of how epic can manifest itself in different periods and cultures, we learn how cinema makes a powerful claim to be a modern vehicle for a very ancient tradition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Joanna Paul\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/05\/2013\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 352\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.23lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.60h x 5.50w x 1.10d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780199542925\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoanna Paul\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Lecturer in Classical Studies at The Open University. Her main research interests are in cinematic receptions of antiquity, but she also works on other areas of classical reception studies, and has published on a range of topics, including receptions of Pompeii and the history of Latin language pedagogy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis title is not returnable\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press, USA","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":41142586572915,"sku":"9.7802E+12","price":203.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/products\/img_06b2d7c9-cf5c-4c24-891f-22393262bdc4.jpg?v=1701875402","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/en-de\/products\/film-and-the-classical-epic-tradition-9780199542925","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}