It is unclear whether it was first produced before or after sophocles version of the electra story. 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. The differences and similarities of aeschylus english. They included the bacchae, a tragedy that informs our vision of dionysus. Prologue dionysus teleports in and appears, hovering, above the center of the. The internet classics archive electra by euripides. This volume presents the ancient greek text of euripides electra with a facing english translation. The electra is the only extant play in which sophocles draws on the legends connect.
Jason, the heroic son of king aeson of iolcus, has left his wife, medea, and married the princess of corinth. Euripides electra monologue electra, a young woman, mourns her fate in this 34 minute monologue from euripides classic play, electra. Electra, a woman of many temperaments the literary rapport. 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. This commentary contains the oxford classical text of murray. Sophocles and euripides versions of electra carry, among many similarities, a central theme of revenge. Myth, choice, and meaning in euripides iphigenia at aulis. Electra sofocles librodot electra sofocles 2 personajes pedagogo. For years electra has mourned her father and openly spurned her mother and stepfather for murdering him.
The trilogy of the oresteia by the ancient greek playwright aeschylus still inspires works today. 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. 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. Electra is a compelling example of euripides dramaturgy. 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 electra of euripides translated into english rhyming verse language. Electra and orestes killed their own mother in revenge for her betrayal and murder of their father agamemnon. The annenberg cpbproject provided support for entering this text. Greek elektra and her brother orestes murder their mother, clytemnestra, in retribution for her murder of their father, agamemnon. Dec 10, 2004 the electra of euripides translated into english rhyming verse language. View euripides electra research papers on academia. Along with aeschylus and sophocles, he is one of the three ancient greek tragedians for whom a significant number of plays have survived. Euripides makes clytemnestras murder appear a horrible act. He is certainly the most revolutionary greek tragedian one who writes plays based on human tragedies and conflicts known in modern times.
One of my least favorite of the electra interpretations. When agamemnon, the resident king, returned from the trojan war, his wife clytemnestra and her lover aegisthus murdered him and usurped the throne. Clause combining in ancient greek narrative discourse. A comparison of sophocles and euripides versions of electra. Euripides electra has long been one of the playwrights most controversial works. 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. Biography of euripides, third of the great tragedians. Among the bestknown greek tragedies, electra is also one of the plays students of greek often read in the original language. It is a thoughtprovoking, grizzly play, but in the running for euripides most excellent tragedy. For a rich text format or pdf version of this text, please use the following link. Her father, agamemnon, was murdered by electras now stepfather, aegisthus, at the urging of. Unlike in euripides play medea, no deus ex machina comes in to save the childkilling mother. The differences and similarities of aeschylus english literature essay. 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.
The characters, electra and orestes, must reunite to avenge their fathers murder. Euripides was a greek playwright one who writes plays or dramas whom aristotle 384322 b. Electra herself is portrayed as a frustrated and resentful woman who finally lures her mother to her. Dramatis personae a peasant of mycenae, husband of electra. Electra by euripides classical wisdom weekly part 6.
It tells the story of how electra and her brother, orestes, avenge the murder of their father, agamemnon, by their mother and her lover. Years before the start of the play, near the start. 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. The first three chapters argue for the peasant, electra and orestes. Zeitlin, the argive festival of hera and euripides electra, tapa 101 1970, 64s669. Bibliography d odds euripides, bacchae, edited with introduction and commentary by e r dodds, oxford. Aeschylus two most renowned tragic successors, sophocles and euripides, composed accounts of the story that still survive.
Phoenissae, seems to combine this with criticism of the propriety of lengthy. 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. A singular monument of poetical, or rather unpoetical perversity. In the first act, electras husband has a monolog about electras innocence, her fathers death, and the misfortunate faith. She spends her time crying, wailing, and openly casting accusations at them. The issue of the recognition scene in euripides electra, if not as eternal as the. Accompanied by clear presentation and amusing images. 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 electra of euripides has the distinction of being, perhaps, the best abused, and, one might add, not the best understood, of ancient tragedies. Before we can delve into this story, we need a bit of back story. Feel free to contact me with any question or comments, negative or positive.
In aeschylus libation bearers electra accepts orestes when he proves his. Euripides electra a dual language edition faenum publishing. Medea is set in the ancient greek citystate of corinth. Medea murdered her children by jason when he deserted her fora new wife. 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. 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. Her father, agamemnon, was murdered by electra s now stepfather, aegisthus, at the urging of her mother, clytemnestra. The greek city of thebes, outside the royal palace. 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. 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. In the race, oenomaus chariot broke down ix euripides electra the wheels came. There stands the basket ready, and the knife is sharpened, the same that slew the bull, by whose side thou soon wilt lie a corpse.
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