Menander: The Plays and Fragments

This translation of Menander: The Plays and Fragments provides insights into the life and works of the influential playwright, bridging gaps left by history.

In the realm of ancient literature, Menander: The Plays and Fragments stands out as a significant work that showcases the brilliance of the playwright Menander, who lived from 341 to 290 BC. Renowned for his contributions to Attic 'New Comedy,' Menander's plays have influenced generations of writers and continue to resonate today. This verse translation, accompanied by explanatory notes and an insightful introduction, seeks to bridge the gaps left by time, providing readers with a more complete understanding of his work.

Menander's extensive oeuvre, which includes over a hundred plays, was largely known only through brief quotations from ancient authors until recent discoveries of papyri in Egypt began to unveil more substantial fragments of his writings. Notably, the publication of the entire play The Bad-tempered Man in 1958 marked a significant milestone in the appreciation of Menander's artistry. His romantic comedies, which revolve around the lives of ordinary Athenian families, are not only precursors to Roman comedy but also have left a lasting mark on English comedic traditions, influencing playwrights from Sheridan to Ayckbourn.

This new translation of Menander: The Plays and Fragments closely follows the original text while thoughtfully supplementing it with context derived from the dramatic situations and surviving words found in damaged papyri. The result is a cohesive narrative that allows readers to immerse themselves in the humor and humanity of Menander's plays, enriching their understanding of this ancient yet timeless playwright.