This paper explores the biography of Protagoras of Abdera as well as tragic irony as a poetic device in Plato's dialogues. I discuss ancient sources (Diogenes Laertius, Timo of Phlius, Plato) as well as modern interpretations related to the life - and especially the death - of Protagoras. Contrary to common consensus, I argue that the sophist's fleeing from Athens to escape conviction, and his accidental death at sea, are historical facts. Far from contradicting later accounts, Plato's references to Protagoras' long-lasting good reputation further support the evidence, e.g. when Protagoras, as a Platonic character, parades his unfailing success. Protagoras' ill-founded and slightly ridiculous over-confidence should be construed as an instance of irony on Plato's part: comparative material makes it clear that Plato is in fact maliciously hinting at the sophist's impending fate. In so doing, Plato proves to master the well-established technique of tragic irony, which he brilliantly adapts to the new genre of Socratic dialogue.
Platone e la storia : la fine di Protagora e lo statuto letterario dei dialoghi socratici / A. Capra. - In: ACME. - ISSN 0001-494X. - 53:2(2000), pp. 19-37.
Titolo: | Platone e la storia : la fine di Protagora e lo statuto letterario dei dialoghi socratici |
Autori: | CAPRA, ANDREA (Primo) |
Parole Chiave: | Protagora; censura; biografia; Platone; dialoghi |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore L-FIL-LET/02 - Lingua e Letteratura Greca Settore M-FIL/07 - Storia della Filosofia Antica |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2000 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
File in questo prodotto:
File | Descrizione | Tipologia | Licenza | |
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Fine di Protagora.pdf | Post-print, accepted manuscript ecc. (versione accettata dall'editore) | Open Access Visualizza/Apri |