{"product_id":"tragedy-of-fatherhood-the-king-laius-and-the-politics-of-paternity","title":"Tragedy of Fatherhood, The: King Laius and the Politics of Paternity","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Tragedy of Fatherhood, The readers get a focused scholarly study that links theories of power with the cultural figure of the father, making it essential for specialists in literary theory and intellectual history. Silke-Maria Weineck examines how paternity operates as a political metaphor across tragedy, law, and religion; the book's argument is tightly argued and best suited for readers who want a comparative, theoretical approach rather than a survey of primary plays or a casual read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAward-winning scholarship:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book won the 2014 Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize, which signals recognition for its comparative contribution to literary studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weineck traces how the paternal trope unites law, body, and affect, offering a clear framework for understanding paternity as a political metaphor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary reach:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text situates literary tragedy alongside religious and monarchical models, useful for scholars of religion, history, and political thought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClose argumentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author develops a sustained reading of the paternal figure, helping readers follow complex claims without losing the thread of the central thesis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative method:\u003c\/strong\u003e By linking ancient and modern discourses, the book supports comparative research and classroom discussion across periods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at graduate students, researchers, and advanced undergraduates in literary studies, classical reception, political theory, and German studies who need a critical account of how paternity functions as a political and cultural metaphor. In particular, those working on tragedy, monarchy, or theology will find the conceptual connections productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders looking for a general introduction to Greek tragedy, a performance history, or a popular-level narrative should look elsewhere; the prose assumes familiarity with critical discourse and rewards careful, engaged reading rather than casual browsing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRigorous comparative argumentation that illuminates the symbolic links between family, gods, and state.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecognized by peers through the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize, indicating strong scholarly reception.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterdisciplinary relevance, useful for courses in literature, history, and political thought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is dense and theoretical, which may be limiting for readers seeking an accessible or introductory overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTragedy of Fatherhood, The: King Laius and the Politics of Paternity in the West\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilke-Maria Weineck\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNew Directions in German Studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAward\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2014 Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for Comparative Literary Studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheories of power and paternity across tragedy, law, and religion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars and advanced students in literature and critical theory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTragedy of Fatherhood is a disciplined, conceptually rich study that rewards readers engaged in comparative literary and cultural theory; it offers excellent value for scholars who need a focused analysis of paternity as a political metaphor, though its theoretical density places it beyond casual readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, for upper-level seminars in literary theory or cultural history, though instructors should expect dense theoretical material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include case studies of specific plays?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe emphasis is conceptual and comparative rather than a wide performance history, so readers will find sustained theoretical readings rather than a catalog of plays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHas this work been recognized academically?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it won the 2014 Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for Comparative Literary Studies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Silke-Maria Weineck","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48609394000091,"sku":"1628928182","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71r_KlJf7HL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778385171","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/tragedy-of-fatherhood-the-king-laius-and-the-politics-of-paternity","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}