In order to sketch a history of tragedy and comedy in the West through individual plays, Day begins each chapter by summarizing the status of tragedy and comedy in a particular period, touching
on such matters as their role in society and how they relate to other forms of entertainment. An important theme is how sacrifice is an important element to both genres, an idea he traces back
to Aristotle, who first declared that tragedy developed from hymns to Dionysus and comedy from phallic songs. After introducing first sacrifice then tragedy, comedy, and ritual, He covers
Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration and 18th-entry, Victorian, and 20th-century and 21st-century drama. He concludes with a discussion of tragedy, comedy, and sacrifice in popular
culture. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
