Author |
Aeschylus, 526 BCE-457 BCE |
Author |
Sophocles, 496? BCE-407 BCE |
Translator |
Smith, Goldwin, 1823-1910 |
Title |
Specimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and Sophocles
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Note |
Excerpts from various plays of Aeschylus and Sophocles.
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Credits |
This eBook was produced by Juliet Sutherland, William Koven, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
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Summary |
"Specimens of Greek Tragedy" by Aeschylus and Sophocles is a collection of translated excerpts of ancient Greek plays that dates back to the late 19th century. The book serves as an insightful resource into the realm of Greek drama, exploring key themes such as fate, morality, and the dichotomy between human desire and divine intervention. Two of the most significant playwrights represented are Aeschylus, considered the father of tragedy, and Sophocles, who successfully advanced the genre with deeper character development and complex plots. The opening of the collection provides a comprehensive preface discussing the origins and evolution of Greek drama, emphasizing its beginnings associated with religious festivals honoring Dionysus. It highlights the dramatic structure and the use of chorus, along with detailed discussions of the plays' thematic essence and the societal context in which they were performed. From Prometheus's defiance against Zeus and the tragic demise of Agamemnon to the heart-wrenching narratives of familial duty and betrayal in Electra, the beginning of this compilation sets the stage for understanding the powerful emotional and philosophical undercurrents that defined Greek tragedy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature
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Subject |
Greek drama (Tragedy) -- Translations into English
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
7073 |
Release Date |
Dec 1, 2004 |
Most Recently Updated |
Dec 30, 2020 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
136 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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