The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers and The Furies (Dover Thrift Editions: Plays)

My main purpose of reading this trilogy is because I am a big fan of Klytemnestra. As I understand the real history, the playwriter has falsely accused Klytemnestra for the murder of Agamemnon. I hope the play will be made into an audio version.

A classic.

Great work of literature.

Aeschylus, the father of tragic poetry, lived a life of glory and hardships. Born in 525 BC, he lived sixty-nine years and took pride in calling Athens his home. Early in life he fought in battles and was a member of the navy at Salamis. Later, he grew to love writing plays and poetry. He won first place thirteen times at the Dionysus festival for his own works. One of his greatest masterpieces, The Oresteia Trilogy, was among those awarded. This play took place in 1250 BC and sets the foundation for future works of Greek mythology. It incorporates ideas and themes that prove it one of the greatest works of its time. The Trojan War forces a beloved husband into battle, leaving a wife to begin the plot of his death. Trust, revenge, courage, faith, and loyalty to ones family and the gods are important issues faced by the people. Every person has a duty and every action has a consequence.Aeschylus cleverly develops an interesting plot based on justice and revenge, unimportance of women, and the influence of the gods. These ideas are intertwined within the story, keeping readers well entertained and eager to read on. Readers are left to wonder whether the character's actions were justified. The characters' actions are constantly being questioned, and their lives prove to be an exciting and adventurous experience for people to read about.The Greek tragedy is based on a complicated line of revenge and quests for justice. A mother getting revenge for a daughter's death and a son justifying his father's murder are two examples of vengeance that provide a necessary aspect of the play. In the beginning, Clytemnestra feels the need to avenge her husband's action when forced to choose between his fatherly duty and the gods. Readers become aware of the thoughts and feelings of her and are drawn into her argument against Agamemnon. In the end, Agamemnon puts the gods as a higher importance to him than his daughter. Most people believe that his actions were necessary because it was the will of the gods. Clytemnestra, however, is furious at her husband and begins the plot of his murder. Clytemnestra is full of triumph after Agamemnon's death; however, the city people are in shock and upset at the thought of her gaining power. The news of his father's death eventually reaches Orestes who is devastated and hurt by what his own mother did to his father. Orestes is commanded by Apollo to get revenge on the actions of his mother. With the support of Apollo, Orestes murders his mother and puts her actions to justice. Readers are forced to decide for themselves whether the character's actions were justified. Some people believe Orestes' actions were justified because he had Apollo's support. Others believe Clytemnesra isn't to blame because she was already punished by her death. The play is intellectually challenging because readers are constantly developing an opinion of the characters.In history, women were known to have very little rights. Aeschylus makes it very apparent in this play that women are inferior to men. During the trial of Orestes, Apollo says that women aren't even considered a blood relative of their child. Apollo argues, "Not the true parent is the woman's womb that bears the child; she doth but nurse the seed." He is referring to the father as the true parent who gives the seed to enable the child's existence. This leads to his claim that by killing Clytemnestra he committed no matricide. Athene, the goddess presiding over the court agrees with Apollo because she has no mother and supports the beliefs about the father. Present day readers are aware of the fact that children need both the mother and the father. It is interesting to compare the beliefs of today to the beliefs of the ancient times. Women today can look back and appreciate all the wonderful things they have accomplished over the years. Now, women are given almost every right that is granted to a man. Women continue to overcome their many years of insignificance, with achieving goals and celebrating accomplishments. Aeschylus presents the gods as very important and a dominating aspect of the play. The sacrifice of a daughter and the murder of a mother are all in accordance of the will of the gods. The gods represent a sort of important governing factor in the lives of these ancient Greek people. They live to please them in their everyday lives. The gods play an important role in the trial of Orestes. Apollo acts as his lawyer who defends him from the furies. In a way, Apollo got Orestes in this situation and is the one who helps him gain his freedom back. Athene, the goddess presiding over the court is also very influential in the court's decision. She casts the deciding vote in Orestes' fight for freedom. The gods often forced the characters to choose between their family and the gods themselves. The greatest example is when Agamemnon had to choose between his daughter and the gods. Readers are often reminded of a time when they were forced to choose between their family and something else of great importance to them. The Orestia Trilogy by Aeschylus proves itself as one of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Greek mythology. The dominant themes of justice, woman inequality, and power of the gods add a vital part to the story as a whole. Readers are drawn into the world of ancient times and experience the happiness and the hardships along with the characters. The Orestia Trilogy has been in existence for over 2400 years and continues to influence the lives of its readers.

Can you picture an open-air theater in ancient Greece, with actors making the plays come alive with their sharp words and elaborate gestures? Can you picture the audience, so enthralled with the performances, that they don't even move all day? Canyou imagine what it would have been like to witness the building blocks of 21st century theater? Well, most spectators were just there for the entertainment; totally oblivious to the actual depth of the playwright's writing. "The Oresteia Trilogy," written by eschylus, is considered one of the most influential Greek tragedies in history. Aeschylus was born near Athens, Greece and became the first major Greek tragedian. The trilogy takes place around 1250 B.C. and is somewhat of an ancient Greek soap opera. It portrays the chaotic lives of Greece's royal family after the brutal assassination of the king, Agamemnon. It all started with a grave curse put on the house generationsbefore, and the curse is still going strong. With each line in the play, the story gets more twisted and distorted. Aeschylus is widely renowned for his work on "The Oresteia Trilogy." Overall, "The Oresteia Trilogy" is an extraordinary piece of literature. The concepts Aeschylus brought into the play, such as more dialogue, definitely set the trilogy apart from other works. At first, it may be hard to follow the dialogue in the play. However, as the play progresses, one may actually adapt to the dialogue and may, in fact, become absorbed in it. The plot of the trilogy is extremely complex; once the language barrier is broken, the reading actually becomes enjoyable and exciting. For example, "The bloody act is over/ I have heard the monarch's cry/ Let us swiftly take some counsel/ Lest we too be doomed to die" captures the fear in the narrators moments after Agamemnon's death. Aeschylus created drama with his choice of words and through his characters. He tried to portray the intertwining lives of the gods and the people. Aeschylus had an obvious fascination with Greek mythology, and that is revealed throughout his writing. The involvement and many references to the gods also shows that Aeschylus had a great understanding of Greek mythology. Aeschylus knew his stuff, and therefore created a wonderful account of life in ancient Greece. The drama created through the assassination, revenge, and final judgment in the trilogy is extremely immense. "The Oresteia Trilogy" is a modern work of art, and anyone can benefit from reading it. "The Oresteia Trilogy" has influenced writing throughout history. Aeschylus is a prominent playwright still today. Reading his work will give a glimpse into ancient Greek life, mixed with wonderfully manipulated dialogue. The actual dialogue may be challenging at first, but becomes an adventure throughout the trilogy. There is great respect for Aeschylus as a playwright; he paved the way for future tragedians. His firsttrilogy has stayed so influential because people can still relate to it today. Obviously, Aeschylus knew what would grasp the audience's attention, and hold it. Old man Aeschylus knew his stuff, hands down, and still remains a hero in my book.

I have several students to whom I'm introducing Greek plays. They're inexpensive and easy to read.