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Euripides: Orestes
Author(s): Matthew Wright (Author)
- Publisher: Bristol Classical Press
- Publication Date: 10 Nov. 2008
- Language: English
- Print length: 178 pages
- ISBN-10: 0715637142
- ISBN-13: 9780715637142
Book Description
“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”?
Editorial Reviews
Review
Wright s book offers its readers a clear and insightful introduction to the play. Students unfamiliar with Orestes will gain valuable insights into the world of the drama and a close and interesting analysis of the themes of the play. The Companion also provides a summary of scholarly opinions about the drama and allows interested readers to pursue themes further with the help of the bibliography. Those more familiar with the tragedy will still find much to enjoy in Wright s well-written discussion. Like Euripides W. does not give us easy answers but he does raise important questions about the Orestes and our search for its elusive meaning.
About the Author
Matthew Wright is Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of Exeter. He is the author of ‘Euripides’ Escape-Tragedies’ (2005).
