Orestes *** This has a rather modern feel for a 2,500 year old play. I’m not sure if that’s in the original or if it is Arrowsmith’s translation. In the play, Euripides moves the ancient story of Orestes to what for him was modern times. Unlike Aeschylus’ Orestes, Euripides’s Orestes must face contemporary legal punishment. It’s all a rather odd take on the tale. There’s a good bit of posturing and melodramatic dialogue that gets a bit dull, but the odd tone is rather interesting. (09/17)

Iphigenia at Aulis *** Not one of Euripides’ more compelling works. Iphigenia accepts her fate to die on the sacrificial altar. In what appears a later addition, Iphigenia is replaced by Artemis with a hind. Iphigenia’s change of heart is explained about as well as it could. It is impossible to deny the gods. (09/18)

Bacchae **** -- Opposition to the gods is futile. Neither Prometheus, a god himself, nor a legendary mortals like Hercules could withstand their power. Young Pentheus is no exception.

Faced by an exotic new religion, Pentheus spurns it – even though he is cousin to this new god. And Dionysius wreaks a ten-fold vengeance out of all proportion and scale against his family.

It is a lesson about the proper worship of the gods, but it is a bitter lesson that reeks of injustice. It is like a person’s resignation to a mad dictator – to a person or thing all powerful but not all just or fair. Obedience and respect is all.

It is interesting that this is one of the last plays – if not the last play – written by Euripides. While it doesn’t quite rise to his Heracles, it is still a very good play. (06/20)

And another great collection of Greek tragedies that have also influenced modern writers.

Loved these plays, I thought the parables were reflective of the consistency of the modern human condition.

Apollo be causing problems

Rhesus: 3/5
The Supplicant Women: 3/5
Orestes: 4/5
Iphigenia in Aulis: 5/5