Whodunit? [by David Lehman]

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March 11, 2009

Whodunit? [by David Lehman]

According to Nietzsche, who killed tragedy? And why?

1) Euripides, because "The Bacchae" lacks the Dionysiac element.
2) Socrates, because reason is the enemy of tragedy.
3) Jesus, because Christianity is the enemy of tragedy.
4) Aristophanes, because comedy is the enemy of tragedy.
5) Al of these.

". . .like a man who throws himself from a tower in order to put an end to the unbearable sensation of vertigo." That is what N. thought of E.'s vainglorious end.

-- DL

Posted by The Best American Poetry on March 11, 2009 at 10:35 AM in Adventures of Lehman, Brainteasers, Multiple Choice | Permalink

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"Lively and affectionate" Publisher's Weekly. Now in paperback.Click image to order your copy.

Radio

I left it
on when I
left the house
for the pleasure
of coming back
ten hours later
to the greatness
of Teddy Wilson
"After You've Gone"
on the piano
in the corner
of the bedroom
as I enter
in the dark

from New and Selected Poems by David Lehman