Sometimes I feel like the post-modern intellectual ferment is a phenomenon akin to Medieval Scholasticism (how many angels can dance on the head of a pin)- the rampantly tendentious obscurantism, the impenetrable jargon and idiotic linguistic play of theoretical discourse... If only Kaufamnn where here to call these post-modern charlatans (who all-too often pillage Kaufmann's intellectual and spiritual predecessor, Nietzsche) out on their empty sophistry... As always, I'm getting off topic.

This book is an exemplary work of scholarship- aproachable, insightful, clear, interesting, at times humorous, and unencumbered. It is so good and so readable it is at odds with our age. Kaufmann analyses not only the major tragedians of antiquity (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides) but also the commentators of antiquity- Plato and Aristotle, calling them on their glaring faults and presumptions. It takes serious [courage] (or it used to) to go messing with the two Grecian heavy-weights of western thought but Kaufamnn is up to the challenge. One walks away from the first half of the book STEEPED in ideas.

Kaufamnn also examines Shakespearian Tragedy. Then he discusses the theories of both Nietzsche and Hegel as regards both tragedy and Greek culture in general. This, in my opinion is where Kaufmann truly shines, as a brilliant commentator on German philosophy and literature. (His book on Hegel was the first to enable me to understand Hegel, and I reccomend it whole-heartedly). He knows Nietzsche like the back of his hand and has the ability to call ol' Fritz out when he falls prey to his own style, the shrill and willful naysaying. He is highly fond of Nietzsche but is also not an acolyte (the greatest disservice one can do to a thinker as profound as Nietzsche is to be a disciple and nothing more, and Nietzsche himself never tired of stating that), Kaufmann possessed a head level enough to work through N's thought and avoid his missteps (Nietzsche, for example, points the finger at Euripides for the fall of tragedy. Kaufmann disagrees and clearly believes that the form continued on through other historical epochs, but not our own).

Still, despite his differences, Kaufmann finds much in both Nietzsche and Hegel that is worthwhile and illuminating, and he delivers to the reader not only a thorough comprehension of both thinker's perceptions of tragedy, but also a capacity to root both men in their historical context, so that one has a sense of WHY they thought and wrote as they did. Don't underestimate that.

He finally posits his own 'ironic' theory of tragedy against those of the thinkers he has perused and analysed (This is not surprising, as Kaufmann's first and highest devotion, philosophically was to the ever-ironic Socrates). He also discusses why our age has been unable live up to the art of those who have come before, and why (in his opinion) our age has produced no fully realized tragedies of its own (though a few have tried... perhaps the form and all its particulars is no longer relevant, like epic poetry- it can be studied and of course enjoyed for its sublime nature, but to attempt to create one would be a farsical endeavor??? I'm just wondering aloud so to speak...) He briefly looks at Sartre's 'The Flies,' in connection with Euripides and doesn't fault JP too much. I'm very fond of that play and my copy of the book is underlined almost the whole way through on this chapter.

I can't think of any other text on tragedy (or even drama in general) that does so much for the reader. Why can't all writers and scholars be this concise, enthralling and well-learned?

I'll end by repeating: the finest book on tragedy and thought I have come across.

If you despise Nietzsche don't buy this because by reading it one can tell Kaufmann was quite fond of the tragic philosopher--even though he disputes Nietzsche's belief that Euripides caused the death of tragedy. If your a complete advocate of Rationalism don't buy this unless you truely believe the unexamined life isn't worth living. Only buy this if like a good argument, no matter what side is right, and enjoy a deep analysis of the human condition.