Author
Euripides
Died -406
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Subjects
Books by Euripides
Medea of Euripides
"Medea of Euripides" by Euripides is a tragedy first performed in 431 BC. When Jason abandons Medea for a Corinthian princess, his former wife takes devastating revenge by murdering his new bride, father-in-law, and her own two sons before escaping to Athens. This Greek tragedy explores themes of betrayal, vengeance, and a woman's struggle for agency in a male-dominated world. The play has captivated audiences across centuries, becoming the most frequently performed Greek tragedy of the twentieth century.
The Bacchae of Euripides
"The Bacchae of Euripides" by Euripides is an ancient Greek tragedy written during his final years in Macedonia and premiered posthumously in 405 BC. The god Dionysus arrives in Thebes disguised as a mortal, seeking revenge against his cousin King Pentheus and the royal family who denied his divinity. When Pentheus refuses to recognize Dionysus's godhood and bans his worship, the vengeful deity drives the women of Thebes into ecstatic frenzy and lures the king toward a devastating fate on Mount Cithaeron.
The Trojan Women of Euripides
"The Trojan Women of Euripides" by Euripides is a tragedy produced in 415 BCE. After Troy falls and its men are slaughtered, the surviving women face enslavement and further horrors at the hands of their Greek conquerors. Queen Hecuba and the royal women—including the prophetic Cassandra and widowed Andromache—confront devastating fates as their children are torn away and their homeland burns. Through their suffering, the play presents a powerful commentary on the brutal costs of war.
The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I.
"The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I" by Euripides is a collection of Greek tragedies written in ancient times, with a focus likely during the 5th century BC. This volume features significant plays such as "Hecuba," "Orestes," and "Medea," highlighting themes of suffering, revenge, and the human condition through the tragic narratives of its complex characters. The opening of the collection sets the tone with a detailed introduction that discusses Euripides' life, his impact on Greek theater, and an overview of the themes present in his tragedies. Specifically, the play "Hecuba" introduces the characters of Hecuba, the former queen of Troy, and her daughter Polyxena, who is fated to be sacrificed at Achilles' tomb. Through the chorus and the conversations between characters, the emotional turmoil and relentless despair of Hecuba are evident as she grapples with her losses and the indignities of enslavement, whetting the reader's appetite for the profound explorations of tragedy that follow in the subsequent plays.
Hippolytus; The Bacchae
"Hippolytus; The Bacchae" by Euripides is a pair of Greek tragedies that were likely written in the 5th century BC. The plays delve into themes of desire, revenge, honor, and the conflict between human passion and divine influence, centering around the tragic fates of their main characters, Hippolytus, Phaedra, and Dionysus. In "Hippolytus," the titular character is caught in a web of divine vengeance due to his disdain for love and women, while "The Bacchae" explores the destructive power of unchecked desire and the consequences of defying the gods. At the start of "Hippolytus," we are introduced to the grotesque dynamics of love and revenge led by the goddess Aphrodite, who seeks vengeance against Hippolytus for neglecting her in favor of Artemis. Aphrodite's machinations lead Phaedra, Theseus’s wife and Hippolytus’s stepmother, to fall tragically in love with him. As the narrative unfolds, Phaedra’s anguish and the dire consequences of her forbidden desire take center stage, ultimately leading to destructive outcomes for all involved. Meanwhile, "The Bacchae" opens with Dionysus returning to Thebes to assert his divinity and contest the denial of his mother’s legacy, setting the stage for the chaos that ensues as he challenges Pentheus and the societal norms of Thebes. These opening portions establish a tone of impending tragedy and explore the complexities of divine and human relationships, raising questions about morality, fate, and the nature of love.
Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (1 de 3)
"Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (1 de 3): Hécuba, Hipólito, Las Fenicias..." is a collection of dramatic works attributed to Euripides, likely written in the 5th century BC. This anthology includes several of Euripides' significant tragedies that explore complex themes of human suffering, fate, and moral ambiguity, primarily focusing on characters from mythological backgrounds, including Hécuba, the former queen of Troy. The opening of Hécuba presents a tragic narrative following the aftermath of the fall of Troy, centering on Hécuba, who grieves the losses of her children, Polidoro and Políxena, amidst betrayal and impending sacrifice. As the Greeks prepare to make Políxena a sacrificial offering to appease the spirit of Achilles, Hécuba's despair becomes palpable. The scene delves into her frantic emotional state, her pleas to Odysseus for mercy, and the harrowing family tragedies that underline both personal and collective suffering in the wake of war. The play sets a tone of impending doom, marked by themes of vengeance, the brutality of fate, and the quest for dignity in the face of overwhelming loss.
The Iphigenia in Tauris of Euripides
"The Iphigenia in Tauris of Euripides" by Euripides is a drama written between 414 BC and 412 BC. Iphigenia, rescued from sacrifice by the goddess Artemis, serves as a priestess in a foreign land where she must ritually kill Greek strangers. When two captives arrive at her temple, she doesn't realize one is her brother Orestes, whom she believes dead. Their fated encounter sets in motion a desperate plan for escape and reunion.
Alcestis
"Alcestis" by Euripides is an Athenian tragedy first produced in 438 BC. When King Admetus is granted the chance to escape death if someone takes his place, his devoted wife Alcestis agrees to die for him. As she approaches her final moments, the god Apollo and Death himself clash over her fate, while the drunken hero Heracles arrives unknowingly at the grieving palace. This ambiguous work blends tragic and comic elements in unexpected ways.
The Electra of Euripides Translated into English rhyming verse
"The Electra of Euripides" by Euripides is a tragedy written in the mid-410s BC. The play retells the dark myth of the house of Atreus, following Electra and her brother Orestes as they plot revenge against their mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus for murdering their father Agamemnon. Euripides reimagines the familiar story with disturbing twists, questioning traditional notions of heroism, gender roles, and divine morality as the siblings pursue their violent quest for justice.
The Rhesus of Euripides
"The Rhesus of Euripides" by Euripides is an Athenian tragedy with disputed authorship since antiquity. Set during the Trojan War, the play unfolds over a single night when Greek warriors infiltrate the Trojan camp. King Rhesus of Thrace arrives late to aid the Trojans, but his fate becomes entangled with Greek spies Odysseus and Diomedes, who prowl the darkness with deadly intent. Accusations of treachery follow a brutal attack, culminating in divine intervention that promises an unexpected resurrection.
Hecuba and other plays
With no. 54 and 58 of the series, completes the English versions of Euripides.
Orestes
"Orestes" by Euripides is an Ancient Greek play written in 408 BCE that follows the tormented son of Agamemnon after he murders his mother Clytemnestra. Driven mad by the Furies and condemned to death by Argos, Orestes desperately seeks help from his uncle Menelaus, who has just returned from Troy. When betrayed, Orestes and his sister Electra plot violent revenge, leading to a crisis that challenges both divine justice and human morality in a Athens weakened by war.
Ηλέκτρα
"Ηλέκτρα" by Euripides is a tragedy written in the mid 410s BC. Electra, married off to a poor farmer to prevent noble heirs, joins her exiled brother Orestes in a plot to avenge their father Agamemnon's murder. Their targets are their mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, who killed Agamemnon years earlier. As the siblings execute their plan, questions arise about heroism, morality, and the cost of vengeance, culminating in acts that bring both justice and profound guilt.
Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (2 de 3)
"Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (2 de 3)" by Eurípides is a collection of Greek tragedies written in the classical period of ancient Greece. This volume includes powerful narratives such as "Las Troyanas," which portrays the devastating aftermath of the fall of Troy, focusing on the fates of its captive women. The central figure is Hécuba, the former queen of Troy, whose emotional turmoil reflects the broader themes of loss, suffering, and the capriciousness of fate. The opening of "Las Troyanas" introduces the tragic setting after the fall of Troy, where Hécuba and other captured women lament their fate as they face enslavement at the hands of their Greek conquerors. The god Poseidón sets the scene, indicating the ruin brought upon the once-great city. Hécuba is distraught over her lost family and her impending servitude, and she is soon joined by other women who mourn their shared misfortunes. As the Greeks decide the destinies of the captives, dark omens surround Hécuba's daughter, Casandra, leading to further heart-wrenching developments. This opening sets the tone for a deeply emotional exploration of the consequences of war and human suffering.
Iphigeneia i Aulis
"Iphigeneia i Aulis" by Euripides is a tragedy written between 408 and 406 BC. At Aulis, the Greek fleet cannot sail to Troy until Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess Artemis. When Clytemnestra and Iphigenia arrive under false pretenses of a wedding to Achilles, they discover the horrifying truth. The play explores family loyalty versus military duty as Iphigenia faces her fate, while Clytemnestra's rage foreshadows the bloodshed that will follow Agamemnon home from war.
Euripides' Elektra
"Euripides' Elektra" by Euripides is a tragedy written in the mid-410s BC. Years after Clytemnestra murders her husband Agamemnon, their daughter Electra lives in exile, married off to a peasant farmer. When her brother Orestes returns in disguise, the siblings reunite and plot revenge against their mother and her lover Aegisthus. This version challenges traditional notions of heroism and morality, questioning whether vengeance justifies matricide and exploring the dark consequences of violent justice.
Ιφιγένεια εν Αυλίδι
"Ιφιγένεια εν Αυλίδι" by Euripides is a Greek tragedy written between 408 and 406 BC. The Greek fleet waits at Aulis, unable to sail for Troy until commander Agamemnon appeases the goddess Artemis by sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia. When his wife Clytemnestra arrives with their daughter, believing she's to marry the warrior Achilles, she discovers the horrifying truth. As family members clash over Iphigenia's fate and the restless army threatens mutiny, an impossible choice must be made between personal loyalty and national honor.
Ορέστης
"Ορέστης" by Euripides is an Ancient Greek play written in 408 BCE that follows Orestes after he murders his mother Clytemnestra to avenge his father's death. Tormented by Furies and facing execution by Argive citizens, Orestes desperately seeks help from his uncle Menelaus, who refuses. With his sister Electra and friend Pylades, Orestes devises a vengeful plan involving Helen and her daughter Hermione. The play explores themes of justice, divine will, and political manipulation, offering a darker reimagining of the mythological story.
Άλκηστις
"Άλκηστις" by Euripides is a tragedy first performed in 438 BCE at the Great Dionysia festival in Athens. The play tells the story of Alcestis, a devoted wife who willingly sacrifices her life to save her husband Admetus, the king of Pherae. This unique work occupies an unusual position in Greek drama, serving as the fourth play in a tetralogy where a satyr play would normally appear. It explores themes of marital devotion, self-sacrifice, and the role of women in ancient society through its heroine's extraordinary choice.
Ίων
"Ίων" by Euripides is an ancient Greek play written between 414 and 412 BC. It follows Ion, a young temple servant at Delphi, as he unknowingly discovers his true origins. His mother Creusa harbors a devastating secret: years ago, Apollo assaulted her, and she abandoned their infant son. When Creusa and her husband arrive seeking the oracle's guidance about having children, a fateful reunion unfolds that challenges the very right of gods to control mortal destinies.
Ανδρομάχη
"Ανδρομάχη" by Euripides is a tragedy written around 424 BCE. After Troy's fall, Andromache becomes the captive of Neoptolemus, bearing him a son. When Neoptolemus marries Hermione, jealousy erupts into a deadly plot. With her master away at Delphi, Andromache seeks sanctuary as Hermione and her father Menelaus threaten both her life and her child's. This multifaceted drama explores war's aftermath, betrayal, and the fragility of fortune while delivering pointed criticism of Spartan treachery during the Peloponnesian War.
Helena
"Helena" by Euripides is a tragedy performed around 412 BCE. In this radical retelling of the Trojan War, Helen never went to Troy but spent the war years in Egypt while a phantom took her place. Now she awaits rescue from her husband Menelaus, who believes she perished at sea, while fending off an Egyptian king's marriage demands. This unconventional drama questions the absurdity of war fought over an illusion.
Κύκλωψ
"Κύκλωψ" by Euripides is a satyr play likely written in the 5th century BC. The only complete satyr play to survive, it follows Odysseus and his crew as they encounter the brutal Cyclops Polyphemus after losing their way home from Troy. When the giant begins devouring his men, Odysseus must devise a cunning plan involving wine and deception. Blending Homer's Odyssey with comic satyrs and philosophical debate, the play explores themes of justice, power, and excess while potentially commenting on contemporary Athenian politics.
Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (3 de 3)
"Obras dramáticas de Eurípides (3 de 3)" by Euripides is a collection of classical Greek plays, likely written during the late 5th century BC. This volume, presented in a modern Spanish translation, focuses on the tragic and dramatic stories surrounding gods and mortals, notably exploring intense human emotions and the intervention of deities in mortal affairs. The excerpt begins with the play "Ion," whose main characters include Ion, Creúsa, Juto (her husband), and the gods Apollo and Hermes. The central theme revolves around hidden parentage, divine intervention, and the complex relationships between fate and human action. The opening of the book sets the stage for "Ion" with a detailed summary of the myth and dramatic context: Apollo has fathered a child with Creúsa, who abandons the baby to conceal her shame, and the child is raised in Apollo's temple unknown to his parents. The narrative then unfolds in dialogues and choral interludes, introducing the dilemma of Creúsa and Juto's childlessness, their consultation of Apollo's oracle, and Ion’s role as a temple servant with mysterious origins. The scene captures emotional intensity as Creúsa laments her fate, Ion reflects on his unknown parentage, and both grapple with the consequences of Apollo's actions. The intrigue escalates with schemes of jealousy, attempted poisoning, and the intervention of divine and mortal characters, expertly building suspense and exploring themes of recognition, justice, and the search for identity.