Ancient Art and Ritual

by Jane Ellen Harrison

This is the best general statement of the function of Art known to me. It should be read in connection with Mr. Bullough’s article, quoted on p. [129], which gives the psychological basis of a similar view of the nature of art. My own theory was formulated independently, in relation to the development of the Greek theatre, but I am very glad to find that it is in substantial agreement with those of two such distinguished authorities on æsthetics. For my later conclusions on art, see Alpha and Omega, 1915, pp. 208-220.

[Caudwell, C., Illusion and Reality, 1937.]

For more advanced students:

Dussauze, Henri. Les Règles esthétiques et les lois du sentiment, 1911.

Müller-Freienfels, R. Psychologie der Kunst, 1912.

INDEX

• Abstraction, [224]
• Adonis, rites of, [19], [20], [54]-[56]
  • ——, gardens of, [149]
  • ——, as tree spirit, [149]
• Æschylus, [47]
• Aesthete, not artist, [214]-[215]
• Agon, [15]
• Anagnorisis, or recognition, [15]
• Anthesteria, spring festival of, [147]-[149]
• Apollo Belvedere, [171]
• Aristotle on art, [198]
• Art and beauty, [213]
  • —— and imitation, [230]
  • —— and morality, [215]
  • —— and nature, [198]
  • —— and religion, [225]
  • ——, emotional factor in, [26]
  • ——, social elements in, [241]-[248]
• Ascension festival, [69]

• Bear, Aino festival, [92]-[99]
• Beast dances, [45], [46]
• Beauty and art, [211]
• Bergson on art, [134]
• Birth, rites of new, [104]-[113]
• Bouphonia, [91]-[92]
• Bull-driving in spring, [85]
  • ——, festival at Magnesia, [87]

• Cat’s-cradle, as magical charm, [66]
• Censor, function of, [216]
• Charila, spring festival, [80]
• Chorus in Greek drama, [121]-[128]

• Dancing, a work, [30]-[31]
  • ——, magical, [31]-[35]
  • ——, commemorative, [44]
• Daphnephoros, [186]
• Death and winter, [67]-[72]
• Dikè as way of life, [116]
• Dionysis, [12], [150]
• Dionysis as Holy Child, [103]
  • —— as tree god, [102]
  • —— as young man, [113]-[115]
• Dithyramb, [75]-[89]
• Drama and Dromenon, [35]-[38]