The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides

Questions About The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides

by Aeschylus

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Answered Questions (4)

Has anyone else read the Oresteia in the original Greek? It is quite difficult. His language is archaic, his metaphors bizarre (e.g. "I have written you down unmusically in the book of my estimation as a poor tiller at the helm of wits.") and the whole work has a brooding intensity very much akin to, but less accessible than, "MacBeth." I find the mood best sustained in Philip Vellacott's translation (Penguin).
Ulrik Nielsen Oh, I like that quote. Some day I'm going to fling that at somebody in the middle of a conversation.…moreOh, I like that quote. Some day I'm going to fling that at somebody in the middle of a conversation.(less)
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Is there any particular order that I should read the Oresteian Trilogy?
John L Yes. You should read them in the order that they were originally performed: Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers, Eumenides. This Oxford paperback edition …moreYes. You should read them in the order that they were originally performed: Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers, Eumenides. This Oxford paperback edition is a very good one with an excellent introduction and notes.(less)
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I've never read a Greek play before, is it told like a script for a regular play or is it more similar to poetry?
Joshua Pray They are written as scripts, with only dialogue and some stage direction. On the point of poetry, though, the Chorus is a vital part of Greek tragedy …moreThey are written as scripts, with only dialogue and some stage direction. On the point of poetry, though, the Chorus is a vital part of Greek tragedy -- often giving background information, parsing through the actions of the play so far and interacting (not jarringly, though) with the audience -- and their lines were meant to be sung. This means that in many translations, these lines will be metrical, rhyming or both -- like poetry.

I very highly recommend diving in and reading these. They give incredible insight into the views and customs of this ancient world, and are beautifully artful to boot. But that's really only half the game, as there's also not only nothing wrong with watching them as well, but it is perhaps essential, as these works were meant to be performed.

Enjoy!(less)
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why was Artemis the one who asked for the sacrifice of the king's daughter? She's described as kind-hearted.
John L One of Artemis' functions is goddess of the hunt. Agamemnon killed one of her sacred deer. Artemis stopped the winds which would carry the Greek fleet…moreOne of Artemis' functions is goddess of the hunt. Agamemnon killed one of her sacred deer. Artemis stopped the winds which would carry the Greek fleet to Troy and required the sacrifice of Iphigenia, Agamemnon's daughter, before she allowed the winds to be released. Gods and goddesses were seldom "kind-hearted". They were lustful, cruel, jealous and vengeful towards humans.(less)
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