Abstract
This study explores the complex interplay between personal and political spheres as depicted in Howard Brenton's play Cancelling Socrates, alongside historical accounts of Socrates' trial and execution. Brenton’s play highlights the tension between individual values and societal demands through the contrasting perspectives of Xanthippe and Aspasia. Xanthippe’s dismissal of state concerns in favour of personal, familial realities underscores the clash between individual desires and political responsibilities. Aspasia’s emphasis on the state as the embodiment of the common good presents the democratic ideal in opposition to Xanthippe’s private sphere. This dynamic reflects the broader historical context of Socrates’ trial, where his philosophical inquiries and perceived corruption of Athenian youth provoked a democratic system struggling with internal contradictions. The study examines how Socrates’ role as a moral and intellectual provocateur challenged the democratic norms of his time, leading to his eventual prosecution. It also considers Brenton’s critique of civilization’s reliance on collective beliefs and norms, as articulated through Euthyphro's reflections in the play. This analysis reveals the enduring relevance of Socratic themes in understanding the tensions between personal integrity and political authority.
References
- Akbar, A. (2022, June 9). Cancelling Socrates Review – Howard Brenton Interrogates Democracy in a Rich Play of Ideas. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/09/cancelling-socrates-review-howard-brenton-interrogates-democracy-in-a-rich-play-of-ideas
- Asmonti, L. (2015). Athenian Democracy: A Sourcebook. Bloomsbury Academic, London & New York.
- Beetham, D. (2006). Democracy a Beginner’s Guide. Oneworld Publications, Oxford.
- Bonner, R. J. (1933). Aspects of Athenian Democracy. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.
- Brenton, H. (2023). Cancelling Socrates. Nick Hern Books, London. Brenton, H. (2022, May 31). Interview with Howard Breton | Cancelling Socrates. (J. S. Theatre, Interviewer). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjkIqvNp_g
- Catt, H. (1999). Democracy in Practice. Routledge, London and New York.
- Dorion, L. A. (2011). The Rise and Fall of the Socratic Problem. In D. R. Morrison (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Socrates (pp. 1-24). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Finley, M. (1985). Democracy Ancient and Modern (2 ed.). The Hogarth Press, Berkshire.
- Garland, R. (2018). Athenian Democracy: An Experiment for the Ages Course Guidebook. The Great Courses, USA.
- Hansen, M. H. (2008). Thucydides’ Description of Democracy (2.37.1) and the EU-Convention of 2003. Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies, 48, 15–26.
- Harrison, R. (1993). Democracy. Routledge, London and New York. Held, D. (2006). Models of Democracy. Polity Press, Cambridge.
- Hemming, S. (2022, June 9). Howard Brenton’s Cancelling Socrates, Review — A Smart, Sparkily Topical Drama. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/163ea409-245c-4733-b7af-e9ab806a9ef1
- Lape, S. (2010). Race and Citizen Identity in the Classical Athenian Democracy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Levene, S. (2022, June 17). ‘Cancelling Socrates’ Review – A Treat for the Mind. Roar: King’s College London’s Official Student Newspaper. Retrieved from https://roarnews.co.uk/2022/cancelling-socrates-review-a-treat-for-the-mind/
- Martin, T. R. (2024, May 15). An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander. Perseus Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0009%3Achapter%3D9
- Mitchell, T. N. (2015). Democracy's Beginning. Yale University Press, Yale.
- Raaflaub, K. A. (2006). Democracy. In K. H. Kinzl (Ed.), A Companion to the Classical Greek World (pp. 387-415). Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford.
- Tilly, C. (2007). Democracy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Abstract
Bu çalışma, Howard Brenton’un Sokrates’in İptali adlı oyununda tasvir edilen kişisel ve siyasi alanlar arasındaki karmaşık etkileşimi, Sokrates’in yargılanması ve idamıyla ilgili tarihsel anlatımlar bağlamında incelemektedir. Brenton’un oyununda Xanthippe ve Aspasia’nın zıt perspektifleri aracılığıyla bireysel değerler ile toplumsal talepler arasındaki gerilim vurgulanmaktadır. Xanthippe’nin kişisel ve ailevi gerçeklikler lehine devlet kaygılarını reddi, bireysel arzular ile siyasi sorumluluklar arasındaki çatışmayı altını çizmektedir. Aspasia’nın devleti ortak çıkarın somutlaşmış hali olarak vurgulaması, demokratik ideali Xanthippe’nin özel alanına karşıt olarak sunmaktadır. Bu dinamik, Sokrates’in yargılanmasının daha geniş tarihsel bağlamını yansıtmaktadır; burada Sokrates’in ahlaki ve entelektüel kışkırtıcılığı, iç çelişkilerle boğuşan bir demokrasiyi provoke etmiştir. Çalışma, Sokrates’in bir ahlaki ve entelektüel provokatör olarak nasıl demokratik normları sorguladığını ve nihai olarak yargılanmasına yol açtığını incelemektedir. Ayrıca, Brenton’un oyundaki Euthyphro aracılığıyla ifade edilen medeniyetin kolektif inanç ve normlara bağımlılığı üzerine eleştirisini değerlendirmektedir. Bu analiz, kişisel bütünlük ile siyasi otorite arasındaki gerilimleri anlamak bağlamında Sokratik temaların sürekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır.
References
- Akbar, A. (2022, June 9). Cancelling Socrates Review – Howard Brenton Interrogates Democracy in a Rich Play of Ideas. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/09/cancelling-socrates-review-howard-brenton-interrogates-democracy-in-a-rich-play-of-ideas
- Asmonti, L. (2015). Athenian Democracy: A Sourcebook. Bloomsbury Academic, London & New York.
- Beetham, D. (2006). Democracy a Beginner’s Guide. Oneworld Publications, Oxford.
- Bonner, R. J. (1933). Aspects of Athenian Democracy. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.
- Brenton, H. (2023). Cancelling Socrates. Nick Hern Books, London. Brenton, H. (2022, May 31). Interview with Howard Breton | Cancelling Socrates. (J. S. Theatre, Interviewer). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjkIqvNp_g
- Catt, H. (1999). Democracy in Practice. Routledge, London and New York.
- Dorion, L. A. (2011). The Rise and Fall of the Socratic Problem. In D. R. Morrison (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Socrates (pp. 1-24). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Finley, M. (1985). Democracy Ancient and Modern (2 ed.). The Hogarth Press, Berkshire.
- Garland, R. (2018). Athenian Democracy: An Experiment for the Ages Course Guidebook. The Great Courses, USA.
- Hansen, M. H. (2008). Thucydides’ Description of Democracy (2.37.1) and the EU-Convention of 2003. Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies, 48, 15–26.
- Harrison, R. (1993). Democracy. Routledge, London and New York. Held, D. (2006). Models of Democracy. Polity Press, Cambridge.
- Hemming, S. (2022, June 9). Howard Brenton’s Cancelling Socrates, Review — A Smart, Sparkily Topical Drama. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/163ea409-245c-4733-b7af-e9ab806a9ef1
- Lape, S. (2010). Race and Citizen Identity in the Classical Athenian Democracy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Levene, S. (2022, June 17). ‘Cancelling Socrates’ Review – A Treat for the Mind. Roar: King’s College London’s Official Student Newspaper. Retrieved from https://roarnews.co.uk/2022/cancelling-socrates-review-a-treat-for-the-mind/
- Martin, T. R. (2024, May 15). An Overview of Classical Greek History from Mycenae to Alexander. Perseus Digital Library. Retrieved from https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0009%3Achapter%3D9
- Mitchell, T. N. (2015). Democracy's Beginning. Yale University Press, Yale.
- Raaflaub, K. A. (2006). Democracy. In K. H. Kinzl (Ed.), A Companion to the Classical Greek World (pp. 387-415). Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford.
- Tilly, C. (2007). Democracy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | British and Irish Language, Literature and Culture |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | April 25, 2025 |
| Publication Date | April 29, 2025 |
| Submission Date | August 12, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | March 7, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 12 Issue: 1 |
