The Wreckage of Agathon (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: John Gardner
- First Published: 1970
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Philosophical
- Time of Work: Sixth century
- Setting: Sparta, in ancient Greece
- Genres: Long fiction, Historical fiction, Philosophical realism
- Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Suffering, Philosophy or philosophers, Prisons, Revolutions, Prophecy or prophets, Greek or Roman times, Greece or Greek people
- Locales: Greece, Sparta, ancient
Characters Discussed
Agathon (AG-uh-thon), a philosopher and seer, originally a native of Athens but now living in exile in Sparta. Old, fat, and balding, Agathon is considered by some a wise man; by most, he is dismissed as a public nuisance who bothers decent citizens in the streets and rails at the established order of things. A philosopher in the Socratic mode, Agathon questions all conventions and refuses to accept the prevalent systems in society, politics, and thought. His sympathy with the oppressed Helots brings him into connection with their revolt against the Spartan...
[The entire page is 1430 words long]
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