Euripides electra a dual language edition this volume presents the greek text of euripides electra, as edited by gilbert murray, with a parallel verse translation by ian johnston on facing pages, which will be useful to those wishing to read the english translation while referring to the greek original, or vice versa. A comparison of sophocles and euripides versions of electra. It is unclear whether it was first produced before or after sophocles version of the electra story. The issue of the recognition scene in euripides electra, if not as eternal as the. Bibliography d odds euripides, bacchae, edited with introduction and commentary by e r dodds, oxford.
Sophocles and euripides versions of electra carry, among many similarities, a central theme of revenge. Euripides electra has long been one of the playwrights most controversial works. Jason, the heroic son of king aeson of iolcus, has left his wife, medea, and married the princess of corinth. Coleridge dramatis personae a peasant of mycenae, husband of electra electra, daughter of agamemnon orestes, son of agamemnon pylades, friend of orestes chorus of argive country. Accompanied by clear presentation and amusing images. Euripides was a greek playwright one who writes plays or dramas whom aristotle 384322 b.
The internet classics archive electra by euripides. For years electra has mourned her father and openly spurned her mother and stepfather for murdering him. She spends her time crying, wailing, and openly casting accusations at them. The electra of euripides translated into english rhyming verse language. Aeschylus two most renowned tragic successors, sophocles and euripides, composed accounts of the story that still survive. This volume presents the ancient greek text of euripides electra with a facing english translation. Electra and orestes killed their own mother in revenge for her betrayal and murder of their father agamemnon.
Euripides electra a dual language edition faenum publishing. Zeitlin, the argive festival of hera and euripides electra, tapa 101 1970, 64s669. In the first act, electras husband has a monolog about electras innocence, her fathers death, and the misfortunate faith. Prologue dionysus teleports in and appears, hovering, above the center of the.
Years before the start of the play, near the start. Along with aeschylus and sophocles, he is one of the three ancient greek tragedians for whom a significant number of plays have survived. In the race, oenomaus chariot broke down ix euripides electra the wheels came. This commentary contains the oxford classical text of murray. The differences and similarities of aeschylus english. Euripides was particularly noted for his sensitive portrayals of women and for finding a sympathetic side to those whom the stock mythology tended to see as evil monsters, such as helen of troy. Electra, a woman of many temperaments the literary rapport. Among the bestknown greek tragedies, electra is also one of the plays students of greek often read in the original language. Before we can delve into this story, we need a bit of back story.
Biography of euripides, third of the great tragedians. Dramatis personae a peasant of mycenae, husband of electra. Electra herself is portrayed as a frustrated and resentful woman who finally lures her mother to her. Monkeynotes study guide summaryelectra by euripidesfree. Myth, choice, and meaning in euripides iphigenia at aulis. Electra and orestes were shedding blood for blood because of their mothers sins but still everything their mother had put them through isnt a fair enough motive to kill.
Euripides makes clytemnestras murder appear a horrible act. It is a thoughtprovoking, grizzly play, but in the running for euripides most excellent tragedy. A peasant of mycenae, husband of electra electra, daughter of agamemnon orestes, son of agamemnon pylades, friend of orestes chorus of argive countrywomen clytemnestra, widow of agamemnon old man, formerly servant of agamemnon messenger the dioscuri scene before the hut of the peasant, in the country on the borders of argolis. When agamemnon, the resident king, returned from the trojan war, his wife clytemnestra and her lover aegisthus murdered him and usurped the throne. Electra is a compelling example of euripides dramaturgy. Feel free to contact me with any question or comments, negative or positive. Orestes and his tender daughter electra,the boy orestes, as he was like to be slain by aegisthus, his sires old fosterfather secretly removed to the land of phocis and gave to strophius to bring up, but the maid electra abode in her fathers house, and soon as she had budded into maidenhood, came all the princes of hellas asking her hand in. The annenberg cpbproject provided support for entering this text. For a rich text format or pdf version of this text, please use the following link. One of my least favorite of the electra interpretations. Electra is a strong read more pro members only join the stageagent community to read our character analysis for electra and unlock other amazing theatre resources. Phoenissae, seems to combine this with criticism of the propriety of lengthy. Greek elektra and her brother orestes murder their mother, clytemnestra, in retribution for her murder of their father, agamemnon. The characters, electra and orestes, must reunite to avenge their fathers murder.
Euripides electra monologue electra, a young woman, mourns her fate in this 34 minute monologue from euripides classic play, electra. Unlike in euripides play medea, no deus ex machina comes in to save the childkilling mother. Her father, agamemnon, was murdered by electra s now stepfather, aegisthus, at the urging of her mother, clytemnestra. Her father, agamemnon, was murdered by electras now stepfather, aegisthus, at the urging of. At the same time, it affords a means of comparing his purpose and techniques with those of aeschylus and sophocles, for all of them used. Play begins with electra telling us of orestes killing of clytemnestra, his subsequent descent into madness and the fact that today is the day that the people of argos vote on whether or not orestes and electra should be stoned to death. The differences and similarities of aeschylus english literature essay.
Electra by euripides classical wisdom weekly part 6. The electra of euripides has the distinction of being, perhaps, the best abused, and, one might add, not the best understood, of ancient tragedies. Medea is set in the ancient greek citystate of corinth. In aeschylus libation bearers electra accepts orestes when he proves his. View euripides electra research papers on academia. Jan 27, 2011 electra is one prominent female figure in ancient greek literature as all three of the renowned tragedians, aeschylus, sophocles, and euripides have written their own respective plays centered around this one woman. Electra 4 bc the legend of electra, sister of orestes, and daughter of clytemnestra and agamemnon, dramatized by each of the three great greek dramatists. Euripides take on the vengeance of orestes 9 march 2012 i clearly remember reading this play for university and one of the things that the lecturer spoke about was how we have, from all three of the surviving tragedians, a extant plays that deals with the same subject, being the murder of aegisthus and clytaemnestra by the two of her children, orestes and electra. The greek city of thebes, outside the royal palace. In 5th century bce athens his classic works such as medeia cemented his reputation for clever dialogues, fine choral lyrics and a gritty realism in both his text and stage presentations. Electra is one prominent female figure in ancient greek literature as all three of the renowned tragedians, aeschylus, sophocles, and euripides have written their own respective plays centered around this one woman. The trilogy of the oresteia by the ancient greek playwright aeschylus still inspires works today. A singular monument of poetical, or rather unpoetical perversity.
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