This really entertaining and educating book, originated in Tim Duff’s dissertation from 1994, hence explores Plutarch’s Lives from the viewpoint of his moral agenda, and in the manner of an engaged reader, who is invited by Plutarch and his writings ‘to challenge and ponder’ (309) his own perspectives and moral headlines.
Table of Contents
1. Part I: The moralizing program
2. Part II: Case-studies
2.1 Pyrrhos & Marius
2.2 Phokion & Cato Minor
2.3 Lysander & Sulla
2.4 Coriolanus & Alkibiades
3. Part III: Synkresis and Conclusion
4. Appendix
4.1 Appendix One
4.2 Appendix Two
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary goal of this work is to analyze Plutarch's Parallel Lives through the lens of his moral agenda, specifically examining how he utilizes comparative structure and the concept of mimesis to guide readers in their own ethical evaluations.
- Exploration of Plutarch’s moralizing purpose and ethical framework.
- The function of comparative biographical structure in conveying moral lessons.
- The role of mimesis as a tool for character education and imitation.
- Case studies on the psychological and moral complexity of specific character pairs.
- The significance of synkresis in fostering an active, critical reader.
Excerpt from the Book
The moralizing program
Duff points at the rather nuanced and individual morale value, there is no universal and sole concept of morality (13). That fact also explains the absence of a formal preface to the Lives as a whole. However, during the pair-studies and observations of statements made in Plutarch’s Moralia it becomes evident that mimesis seemed to be the intention and lesson in all his Lives. Plutarch’s intention unfolds as to encourage the reader to understand a character and his deeds, and hence to imitate his virtue and avoid his vice (52). Duff argues that mimesis is a challenge for the reader to make his own decision and shape his own morale conceptions.
The last chapters of part 1 contain a brilliant study of Plutarch’s Platonic and Aristotelian conception of the soul, visible in his Lives, and show the impact which the soul has on a man’s virtue (73-74). Moreover, since virtue ‘depends on the extent to which the rational part of his soul is able to influence and change, through habit, the irrational in him’ (74), Duff introduces the importance of education and habituation within Plutarch’s Lives. Thus well-equipped with the theoretical framework, the reader continues on to part II of the book, the actual case-studies.
Summary of Chapters
Part I: The moralizing program: Establishes the theoretical framework of Plutarch’s work, focusing on the lack of a universal moral concept and the role of mimesis in influencing reader behavior.
Part II: Case-studies: Provides a practical application of the theoretical framework through detailed analyses of four specific character pairs, highlighting the complexity of moral choices.
Part III: Synkresis and Conclusion: Analyzes the function of synkresis in promoting critical engagement and concludes with reflections on Greek and Roman identities.
Appendix: Offers supplementary insights into the role of ancestral mimesis and explains chronological inconsistencies as deliberate choices for moral, rather than historical, instruction.
Keywords
Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Mimesis, Moral Philosophy, Synkresis, Virtue, Vice, Ethics, Biography, Ancient Literature, Character Education, Habituation, Classical Studies, Moralia, Comparative Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book examines Plutarch's Parallel Lives to understand his moralizing agenda and how his biographical structure is designed to teach readers about virtue and vice.
What are the central thematic areas?
The themes include the moral purpose of biography, the concept of the soul in Platonic and Aristotelian thought, the importance of education, and the function of comparative character studies.
What is the main objective of the author?
The objective is to demonstrate that Plutarch’s biographical choices were driven by a conscious moral program rather than a strict historical intent.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses close reading and intertextual comparison, drawing upon Plutarch's other writings and philosophical sources like Plato and Aristotle.
What is covered in the main section of the book?
The main section features four case studies of character pairs, including Pyrrhos & Marius, Phokion & Cato Minor, Lysander & Sulla, and Coriolanus & Alkibiades.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Plutarch, Mimesis, Moral Philosophy, Synkresis, and Ethics.
Why does Plutarch include Synkresis in his writing?
According to the author, synkresis serves as a mechanism that forces the reader to move beyond passive observation and take an active role in moral evaluation.
How does the book treat the concept of mimesis?
Mimesis is presented as a transformative tool where the reader is challenged to imitate the virtues of the subjects while avoiding their vices through independent moral judgment.
How does the author explain the chronological inconsistencies in the Lives?
The author argues that these inconsistencies arise because Plutarch prioritizes the moral picture of a person over the requirement to provide an exact historical, chronological account.
What makes this approach relevant to modern readers?
By shifting the focus from historical accuracy to the universal questions of virtue and vice, the author makes the ancient texts a relevant resource for modern moral reflection.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Diana Beuster (Author), 2009, Book review: Tim Duff, Plutarch’s Lives: Exploring Virtue and Vice. Oxford University Press, 1999, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128670
