Program in Early Cultures

Stephen Kidd specializes in Greek literature of the classical period, especially comedy and philosophy.  His first book Nonsense and Meaning in Ancient Greek Comedy (Cambridge, 2014) asks why comedy, unlike other genres, gives rise to the perception that some part of it is not meaningful (“just silly”, “just funny”) despite the fact that new meanings continue to be discovered year after year.  Now he is writing a book tentatively entitled Play and Aesthetics in Ancient Greece, which explores the ancient Greek concept of play (paidia) and its relationship to literature, theater, visual arts, and music. What does it mean to say that all art is “play”?  Plato, Aristotle, and others are drawn into the conversation, as well as ancient games, toys, and views on children.  He has also written on the meanings of Greek words, dreams, science, and what Herodotus has to say about virtual worlds.