Euripides: Iphigenia at Aulis (Duckworth Companions to Greek & Roman Tragedy S.) (Duckworth Companions to Greek & Roman Tragedy S.)

"Iphigenia at Aulis is one of Euripides' most intriguing and challenging plays. It dramatises the myth of Iphigenia, the young virgin sacrificed by her father Agamemnon at the start of the expedition against Troy. Produced at the end of the Peloponnesian war, it explores the breakdown of social norms which turns Greeks against Greeks, men against women, and condemns young brides to death. Pantelis Michelakis examines the mythological, socio-political and institutional background, as well as the cultural, political, institutional, and theatrical contexts within which it was originally composed and performed.He highlights the main themes and major issues in modern criticism, and ends with an outline of its performance history and reception."--Bloomsbury Publishing Iphigenia at Aulis is one of Euripides' most intriguing and challenging plays. It dramatises the myth of Iphigenia, the young virgin sacrificed by her father Agamemnon at the start of the expedition against Troy. Produced at the end of the Peloponnesian war, it explores the breakdown of social norms which turns Greeks against Greeks, men against women, and condemns young brides to death. Pantelis Michelakis examines the mythological, socio-political and institutional background, as well as the cultural, political, institutional, and theatrical contexts within which it was originally composed and performed.He highlights the main themes and major issues in modern criticism, and ends with an outline of its performance history and reception "Iphigenia at Aulis dramatizes the myth of Iphigenia, the young virgin sacrificed by her Father Agamemnon at the start of the expedition against Troy. The ongoing debates around Iphigenia's voluntary sacrifice, the corruption of the play's moral universe, and the corruption of its text make Iphigenia at Aulis one of Euripides' most intriguing and challenging plays." "This Companion provides a summary of the plot, discusses the characters and main themes of the play, examines its mythological background, and explores the cultural, political, institutional, and theatrical contexts within which it was originally composed and performed. It also maps the changing fortunes and meanings of the play and outlines the history of its interpretations on page, stage, and screen."--Jacket "Iphigenia at Aulis is one of Euripides' most intriguing and challenging plays. It dramatises the myth of Iphigenia, the young virgin sacrificed by her father Agamemnon at the start of the expedition against Troy. Produced at the end of the Peloponnesian war, it explores the breakdown of social norms which turns Greeks against Greeks, men against women, and condemns young brides to death. Pantelis Michelakis examines the mythological, socio-political and institutional background, as well as the cultural, political, institutional, and theatrical contexts within which it was originally composed and performed. He highlights the main themes and major issues in modern criticism, and ends with an outline of its performance history and reception."--Bloomsbury Publishing The play is set in the camp of the Greek army at the harbour of Aulis, and opens with the commander-in-chief Agamemnon in front of his tent, represented by the stage building. Pantelis Michelakis. Includes Bibliographical References (p.131-167) And Index.