The importance of Aeschylus in the development of drama cannot be
overstated. Before him tragedy had consisted of the chorus and one
actor; and by introducing a second actor, expanding the dramatic
dialogue, and reducing the lyrical parts, he practically created Greek
tragedy as we know it. Like other writers of his time, he acted in his
own plays, and trained the chorus in their dances and songs; and did
much to improve the performances by his development of scene and
costume on the stage. “The Oresteia” is Aeschylus most famous
work, a trilogy of dramas that includes “Agamemnon,” “The
Libation Bearers,” and “The Eumenides.” In the first work of the
trilogy, Agamemnon, King of Argos, is returning home from the Trojan
War. Clytemnestra, his wife, awaits his return by planning his murder.
She is angry for the murder of their first born daughter, Iphigenia,
which Agamemnon has sacrificed in order to appease the goddess
Artemis. The second drama, “The Libation Bearers,” is concerned
with the revenge by Agamemnon’s children, Electra and Orestes,
against Clytemnestra, for the murder of their father. The final play
in the trilogy, “The Eumenides,” details the trial of Orestes for
the murder of his mother. This collection of dramas brilliantly deals
with the themes of revenge and justice and stands to this day as one
of the most important collection of works from classical antiquity.
This edition includes an introduction by Theodore Alois Buckley and
follows the verse translations of E. D. A. Morshead.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781420950960
Publisert
2016
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Digireads.com Publishing
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter