Think of Agamemnon, returning as a hero of the Trojan War with his wife Clytemnestra lying in wait to avenge his sacrifice of their daughter and his taking Cassandra as a concubine. Tragedy involves great heights and plunging depths, and Aeschylus’ plays are framed within a religious reality. Here the verse refers to humans in relation to the great sky father Zeus. Wouldn’t you get chills upon hearing these words in a great, open air amphitheatre?
“In visions of the night, like dropping rain,
Descend the many memories of pain
Before the spirit’s sight: through tears and dole
Comes wisdom o’er the unwilling soul-
A boon, I wot, of all Divinity,
That holds its sacred throne in strength, above the sky!”
from Agamemnon, translation E. D. A. Morshead
Which Greek plays are your favorites?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Romance
I have to admit I really don’t know any Greek plays. I vaguely remember the story of Agamemnon, and of course, the siege of Troy. Other than that, I’m afraid my knowledge in this area is sorely lacking. How wonderful that at least a few of these old plays survive, allowing them to reach a new audience. When you think of the amount of time that has passed in between, the result is mind-boggling.
Oh yes, it’s fortunate for the world that at least some of them survived. Now that would be a treasure trove to find, wouldn’t it?
I agree with Mae Clair I don’t know an Greek plays though i did love the story of Troy and I like the Titans and other Greek tales. I would love to see a play some day.
I would too, Cathy. They are wonderful to read and I can only imagine seeing one performed.
Like you, Flossie, I prefer Aeschylus. We studied Greek tragedy in University. Not in detail, but it stayed with me the fact that he was described as the father of tragedy. I would say, today, that he can be considered the creator of series, too. I have in mind the Oresteia that includes Agamemnon.
I also think that Agamemnon is a real paranormal thriller play. Murder, foretelling the future, a prophetess, revenge. It has everything that later, Shakespeare himself tackled with such greatness. Thank you for reminding me about such a great author. So, I think I answered the question – Agamemnon is my favorite. Yes, the lines are premonitory and frightening. Full of dramatics. I close my eyes and imagine the spectators present in the huge arenas listening to the chilling words. Wow! Awesome!
Carmen, I agree with you about the paranormal thriller aspect– Clytemnestra lying in wait with her heart filled with hatred and rage, then Electra needing to avenge her father, and on and on. I would love to see how the ancient Greeks showed the Furies coming on stage.