When I first glanced at the syllabus and noticed we were going to be reading The Enchiridion, I was curious as to how it would factor into our course on the idea of play and the game. As far as I was aware, the Enchiridion was a manual for the best way to live life in Greek culture. So that got me to think, “Did the Greeks consider play an essential part of life?” And if so, why did they find play to be so important? Much of The Enchiridion supports the notion that life, itself, is one colossal play, with all of us playing small parts. A culture that supports that kind of notion would almost certainly support the idea that the act of playing is, in it of itself, essential to life. Other parts of The Enchiridion, however, support the idea that being playful and frivolous in life is shameful, and should be frowned upon. So what, really, is this piece trying to say about play? Or, rather, to what extent do we allow ourselves the freedom of play?
