Showing results by author "Aeschylus" in All Categories

The classic trilogy about murder, revenge and justice, as heard on BBC Radio 3 – plus a bonus documentary exploring Aeschylus's seminal Greek tragedy A chilling tale of homecoming, violent death and bloody vengeance, The Oresteia dates back to the 5th Century BC, but its themes still resonate...

We live in an era rife with cultural conflict. The 21st century is by no means free of wars, terrorism, riots, famine, nor epidemics. We may attempt to solve the challenges of our times by uniting the humanistic disciplines of philosophy, science, and technology. Our modern reality requires a fundamental understanding of the problems beleaguering our existence. Science and literature are key tools for gaining this insight. The wisdom accumulated throughout the centuries by scientists, philosophers, and writers is a solid foundation on which modern man can build the future.

In The Oresteia, Aeschylus dramatizes the myth of the curse on the royal house of Argos. The action begins when King Agamemnon returns victorious from the Trojan War, only to be treacherously slain by his own wife. It ends with the trial of their son, Orestes, who slew his mother to avenge her treachery - a trial with the goddess Athena as judge, the god Apollo as defense attorney, and, as prosecutors, relentless avenging demons called The Furies.

The earliest surviving works of ancient Greek literature, dating back to the early Archaic period, are the two epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two epics, along with the Homeric Hymns and the two poems of Hesiod, Theogony and Works and Days, comprised the major foundations of the Greek literary tradition that would continue into the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. This carefully selected collection contains: The Odyssey ; The Works and Days ; Theogony ; The Complete Poems of Sappho ; Medea ; Antigone ; Agamemnon ; The Choephori ; Eumenides.

Aeschylus’ historical tragedy Persians, with its dire warnings against the hubris of imperialist overreach, is as relevant today as it was when first presented to an Athenian audience in 472 BC. This new edition of the classic drama features a literal translation by Mark Will (translator of Fernando Pessoa’s Message) which reconstructs in contemporary English verse the epic cadences of the original Greek.

This collection contains the following works: Medea by Sophocles Antigone by Sophocles Agamemnon by Aeschylus Eumenides by Aeschylus The Choephori by Aeschylus The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

Blood, gore, thrills, chills, and romance abound in these plays by three of the great Greek authors. Included are "Medea" by Euripides; "Antigone" by Sophocles; and "Agamemnon" by Aeschylus.

In this compelling tragedy, the only surviving work from Aeschylus trilogy about the House of Oedipus, Thebes finds itself under siege by Polynices, a once-cherished prince turned adversary. Following the tumultuous departure of King Oedipus and his curse upon his sons, the brothers Polynices and Eteocles initially agreed to alternate the throne. However, Eteocles, after his year of rule, refuses to relinquish power, thereby fulfilling their fathers ominous prophecy that they would never coexist peacefully. As Polynices and his Argive army launch an assault on Thebes to reclaim his birthright,...

This Greek tragedy is based on the myth of Prometheus, a Titan who, in defiance of the gods, gives fire to mankind, an act for which he is subjected to perpetual punishment.The play consists almost entirely of speeches since the protagonist is chained throughout.

The Oresteia is a tragedy in three parts written by Aeschylus in the fifth century BCE. After a decade of warfare, Troy had fallen and Agamemnon, King of Mycenae, returned home. His wife, Queen Clytemnestra, had him killed to avenge the sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia, to obtain the crown and to marry her lover Aegisthus. This murder leads to further bloodshed when their son Orestes in turn kills Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. The trilogy consists of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides.

Agamemnon is the first part of the Oresteia trilogy by the Greek playwright Aeschylus. Each of the plays that form part of The Oresteia can stand alone, but they perfectly complement one other in a longer narrative. Agamemnon provides the seed of all the themes that are explored in part two, The Libation Bearers, and three, The Eumenides.

Whether or not it was penned by Aeschylus—a topic of much debate—Prometheus Bound stands as a profound testament to the fight for human freedom against the often overwhelming and indifferent forces that govern the universe. This work is one of the most stirring rebel manifestos ever created, resonating not only with scholars of Greek drama but also with a diverse array of translators throughout history. Notable figures such as Percy Bysshe Shelley, Henry David Thoreau, and activist-poet Augusta Webster have attempted to capture its essence in English. Among them, Elizabeth Barrett Browning...

This collection presents the works of the three fathers of ancient Greek tragedies: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. The reader of this collection will be able to comprehend how the plots and conflicts populating classical tragedy developed. The principle theme of Aeschylus' tragedies is the idea of fate being omnipotent and the futility in struggling against it. The tragedies of Sophocles reflect the era of the Greeks' victorious war against the Persians, which opened up commercial prosperity through trade.

This collection contains the following works: Euripides: Medea Sophocles: Antigone Aeschylus: Agamemnon Aeschylus: Eumenides Aeschylus: The Choephori William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Romeo And Juliet William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of Macbeth, William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare: The Tragedy of King Lear, William Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra.

Aeschylus The Persians (Persai) stands as the earliest surviving play from his oeuvre, first performed in 472 BC. Drawing from his own experiences, particularly the pivotal Battle of Salamis, this remarkable work is distinct among Greek tragedies for its portrayal of a recent historical event. It delves into the theme of hubris, attributing Persias defeat to the arrogance of its king, Xerxes. As the second part of a now-lost trilogy that triumphed at Athens’ City Dionysia festival, with Pericles as choregos, The Persians is a profound exploration of pride and downfall. The first play, ...

Step into the world of ancient Greece with Persians, a rare Greek tragedy that transcends myth to explore real historical events. As the elders of the Persian court anxiously await news from the Battle of Salamis, their hopes turn to despair when they learn of their king Xerxes defeat at the hands of the Greeks. Join us for a poignant reflection on loss, power, and the consequences of war, beautifully narrated by an engaging cast. - Summary by Libby Gohn

Choephori, or The Libation Bearers, is the second in the Oresteian trilogy on the House of Atreus, written by Aeschylus. It deals with the reunion of Agamemnon‘s children, Electra and Orestes, and their revenge upon their mother Clytemnestra for the murder of Agamemnon, which takes place in the first play, Agamemnon. The title refers to the chorus of libation bearers who supports and encourages Electra and Orestes in their quest for justice. The Oresteia is the only extant example of an ancient Greek theatre trilogy.

Aeschylus, the father of tragedy, paints a gripping portrait of Prometheus - bound to a cliff face and sentenced to an eternity of punishment for defying the almighty Zeus out of his compassion towards humanity.

Seven Against Thebes is the thrilling third play in Aeschyluss Oedipus-themed trilogy, produced in 467 BC and often referred to as the Oedipodea. This dramatic tale unfolds the fierce battle between an Argive army, led by Polynices, and the forces of Thebes under the command of Eteocles. The trilogy secured first prize at the City Dionysia, although its earlier plays, Laius and Oedipus, along with the satyr play Sphinx, have unfortunately been lost to time. After the shocking revelation that Oedipus has married his own mother and had children with her, he blinds himself and curses his sons to ...

Considered the greatest surviving work by the "father of tragedy" is the classic tale of King Agamemnon as he returns from Troy victorious in battle but with a wife whose reaction to her son's sacrifice has led her to harbor a burning and hidden resentment toward him.