The Agon in Euripides [Hardcover]

This book is a study of theagon, or formal debate, in Euripides' tragedies. In these scenes, two characters confront each other, often before an arbitrator or judge, and make long speeches as if they were opponents in a court of law. Most of Euripides' extant plays contain an agon, often of crucial importance to the central conflict of the play. Lloyd provides interpretations of the more important agones, giving special attention to their dramatic context and function. Concentrating on Euripides' rhetorical skill, brilliance in argument, and interest in philosophy, Lloyd explores the role of formal debate in Euripides. He contrasts the agon in Euripides' work with that of Sophocles, and discusses extensively Euripides' relationship to fifth-century rhetorical theory and practice.

Lloyd does an excellent job of describing the structure, style and strategies of Euripides' agones, and everyone interested in these rhetorical exchanges will read this book with profit. --Classical Bulletin

This is a meticulous and scholarly book. It is clear that the author has thought very hard about every sentence, and the result is a careful and highly reasoned discussion of the texts....The analyses of individual speeches are illuminating, and the book is clearly and elegantly written. There is a useful index. Overall, the book is certainly a success, and will undoubtedly be of help to many concerned either with Euripides or with Greek rhetoric. --The Classical Review