Euripides: Orestes

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Drama History & Criticism, Ancient & Classical
Cover of the book Euripides: Orestes by Matthew Wright, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Matthew Wright ISBN: 9781472521255
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: November 1, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic Language: English
Author: Matthew Wright
ISBN: 9781472521255
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: November 1, 2013
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Language: English

"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"?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

"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"?

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Moroccan Dreams by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Soviet Hurricane Aces of World War 2 by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Compromised Data by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Mimi and the Piano by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Deliver Us From Darkness by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book So Many Ways to Begin by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Sketching for Animation by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Confucianism in China by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Bolt Action: Armies of Imperial Japan by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Art and Obscenity by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book The Stuff of Life by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book The International Court of Justice by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Edgar Plays: 3 by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book An Actor's Tricks by Matthew Wright
Cover of the book Lucky Dog by Matthew Wright
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy