Medea And Other Plays

Product Description

Previously published as Alcestis & Other Plays" the " Penguin Classics" edition of Euripides' " Medea & Other Plays" is translated by John Davie with introductions & notes by Richard Rutherford. " Medea" in which a spurned woman takes revenge upon her lover by killing her children is one of the most shocking of all the Greek tragedies. Medea is a towering figure who demonstrates Euripides' unusual willingness to give voice to a woman's case. " Alcestis" is based on a magical myth in which Death is overcome & the " Children of Heracles" examines conflict between might & right while " Hippolytus" deals with self-destructive integrity. These plays show Euripides transforming awesome figures of Greek myths into recognisable fallible human beings. John Davie's accessible prose translation is accompanied by a general introduction & individual prefaces to each play. Euripides (c.485-07 BC) was an Athenian born into a family of considerable rank. Disdaining the public duties expected of him Euripides spent a life of quiet introspection spending much of his life in a cave on Salamis. Late in life he voluntarily exiled himself to the court of Archelaus King of Macedon where he wrote " The Bacchae" regarded by many as his greatest work. Euripides is thought to have written 92 plays only 18 of which survive. If you enjoyed " Medea & Other Plays" you might like Aeschylus' " The Oresteia" also available in " Penguin Classics". " One of the best prose translations of Euripides I have seen". (Robert Fagles). " John Davie's translations are outstanding. The tone throughout is refreshingly modern yet dignified". (William Allan " Classical Review")."