DID SHAKESPEARE OWE ANYTIDNG TO SENECA? THE DEBATE OUTLINED

  • M. Frank University of the Witwatersrand

Abstract

The importance of Seneca for Elizabethan drama, specifically Shakespeare, is one of the things that classicists tend to point to (along with the Greek roots of western democracy, the widespread influence of Roman law, the literary importance of classical mythology, etc.), when, as the poor relations in Arts Faculties, they feel the need to justify their existence. Having done this myself for some years, I came to realize that I had very little idea of how Seneca was important, why he was important, and even whether he was really important at all.
Published
2014-03-30
Section
Articles