CRITICISM

Butler, James H. “Tragedies.” In The Theatre and Drama of Greece and Rome, pp. 5-12. San Francisco: Chandler Publishing Company, 1972.

Summarizes what is known of Thespis and maintains that it is not enough to establish with certainty his role in the birth of tragedy.

Flickinger, Roy C. Introduction to The Greek Theater and Its Drama, pp. 1-118. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1922.

Includes a brief account of Thespis's contribution to drama and explains why Solon considered his acting to be lying.

Mantzius, Karl. “The Drama.” In A History of Theatrical Art in Ancient and Modern Times, pp. 94-110. New York: Peter Smith, 1937.

Dismisses the story of Thespis traveling on his cart around Greece as a myth but guardedly credits him for developing tragedy and expanding the use of masks.

Pickard-Cambridge, Arthur. “Thespis.” In Dithyramb Tragedy and Comedy, pp. 69-89. London: Oxford University Press, 1962.

Collects and discusses twenty-three passages that refer to Thespis, some dating back to the fifth century b.c.

Walton, J. Michael. “Drama before Aeschylus.” In Greek Theatre Practice, pp. 33-58. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980.

Background account that also traces the development of dance to drama.