1901 Aphrodite Against Artemis, a Tragedy

Description

First Edition, Original Binding, Publishers' Original Binding

The first edition of Thomas Sturge Moore's play Aphrodite Against Artemis, a Tragedy, published by Sign of the Unicorn in 1901.

In the publisher's original green cloth with antique laid paper. Contains original advertisements of fellow artists who have also been published by Sign of the Unicorn, including 'Goya' by Will Rothenstein, as well as Sturge Moore's poetic anthology 'The Vinedresser'.

Primarily a poet, Aphrodite Against Artemis was the first of thirty-one plays written by Moore, adapting the Greek tragedy 'Hippolytus' by Euripedes. Moore notes that considerable alterations would be necessary when performing the play, but hoped that this would be forgiven for its readability. The play was first performed at Dalston Theatre the same year.

Fellow writer and friend W.B. Yeats described the play as "powerful with a beautiful constrained passion". Inspired by Japanese Noh theatre, Moore let this poetic style of performance influence his play.