Euripides: Orestes (Companions to Greek and Roman Tragedy)

"'Orestes' was one of Euripides' most popular plays in antiquity. Its plot, which centres on Orestes' murder of his mother Clytemnestra and its aftermath, is exciting as well as morally complex; its presentation of madness is unusually intense and disturbing; it deals with politics in a way which has resonances for both ancient and modern democracies; and, it has a brilliantly unexpected and ironic ending. Nevertheless, 'Orestes' is not much read or performed in modern times. Why should this be so? Perhaps it is because 'Orestes' does not conform to modern audiences' expectations of what a 'Greek tragedy' should be. This book makes 'Orestes' accessible to modern readers and performers by explicitly acknowledging the gap between ancient and modern ideas of tragedy. If we are to appreciate what is unusual about the play, we have to think in terms of its impact on its original audience. What did they expect from a tragedy, and what would they have made of 'Orestes'?"--Bloomsbury Publishing "Orestes" was one of Euripides' most popular plays in antiquity. Its plot, which centres on Orestes' murder of his mother Clytemnestra and its aftermath, is exciting as well as morally complex; its presentation of madness is unusually intense and disturbing; it deals with politics in a way which has resonances for both ancient and modern democracies; and, it has a brilliantly unexpected and ironic ending. Nevertheless, "Orestes" is not much read or performed in modern times. Why should this be so? Perhaps it is because "Orestes" does not conform to modern audiences' expectations of what a 'Greek tragedy' should be. This book makes "Orestes" accessible to modern readers and performers by explicitly acknowledging the gap between ancient and modern ideas of tragedy. If we are to appreciate what is unusual about the play, we have to think in terms of its impact on its original audience. What did they expect from a tragedy, and what would they have made of "Orestes"? Orestes Was One Of Euripides' Most Popular Plays In Antiquity. Its Plot, Which Centres On Orestes' Murder Of His Mother Clytemnestra And Its Aftermath, Is Exciting As Well As Morally Complex; Its Presentation Of Madness Is Unusually Intense And Disturbing; It Deals With Politics In A Way Which Has Resonances For Both Ancient And Modern Democracies; And It Has A Brilliantly Unexpected And Ironic Ending. Despite All This, Orestes Is Not Much Read Or Performed In Modern Times. Why Should This Be So? Perhaps It Is Because Orestes Does Not Conform To Modern Audiences' Expectations Of What A 'greek Tragedy' Should Be. This Book Makes Orestes Accessible To Modern Readers And Performers By Explicitly Acknowledging The Gap Between Ancient And Modern Ideas Of Tragedy. If We Are To Appreciate What Is Unusual About The Play, We Have To Think In Terms Of Its Impact On Its Original Audience. What Did They Expect From A Tragedy, And What Would They Have Made Of Orestes?--book Jacket. 1. Setting The Scene -- 2. Dramatic Structure And Performance -- 3. Humans And Gods -- 4. Late Euripides -- 5. Politics -- 6. Euripides' Cleverest Play. Matthew Wright. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Contents 6 Preface 8 1. Setting the Scene 10 2. Dramatic Structure and Performance 30 3. Humans and Gods 52 4. Late Euripides 73 5. Politics 91 6. Euripides’ Cleverest Play 116 Notes 140 Guide to Further Reading 154 Bibliography 160 Glossary 168 A 168 D 168 E 168 F 168 G 169 H 169 I 169 K 169 L 169 M 169 O 169 P 169 S 170 T 170 Chronology 172 Index 174 A 174 B 174 C 174 D 174 E 175 F 175 G 175 H 175 I 175 L 175 M 175 N 176 O 176 P 176 R 176 S 176 T 176 V 177 Z 177