Euripides 1 ~ The Complete Greek Tragedies ~ Alcestis; The Medea; The Heracleidae; Hippolytus

by David Grene (Editor)

Other authorsRichmond Lattimore (Editor)
Paperback, 1971

Status

Available

Call number

882

Collection

Publication

Pocket Books (1971), Edition: University of Chicago, Paperback, 230 pages

Description

In nine paperback volumes, the Grene and Lattimore editions offer the most comprehensive selection of the Greek tragedies available in English. Over the years these authoritative, critically acclaimed editions have been the preferred choice of over three million readers for personal libraries and individual study as well as for classroom use.

User reviews

LibraryThing member SperoLaus
Nothing terribly special going on with this one. I think people generally know what to expect from Greek mythology.
LibraryThing member autumnleaving
I don't even remember which edition I read. One of the best things to come out of my experiences as an erstwhile Classical Studies minor is being introduced to the philosophies and tragedies that shaped Western Civ. as I know it now. Euripedes: you're a genius, is all I'm saying. The depth of a
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mother's love and the passion of a betrayed woman... Woosh!
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This is a random book in my library - I probably picked it up in a library book sale - at the end when the books are given away. I think I had grand aspirations to read it, but didn't actually think I would. So, when I needed a new difficult to read book at night (it puts me to sleep while learning
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something), I choose this one. And I am glad that I did.

The book was very accessible. The translations from old Greek to common English, without all the flowery language - made it a very easy to read. The only thing you need to remember is that these stories are part of a larger saga - the audience will know the story, and what came before and after. So, the stories just start - without any explanations or introductions. Luckily, there are modern day introductions to each play.

And, lastly, a few of these stories feel very modern - especially "The Medea". I can't recommend reading these stories enough.
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LibraryThing member jwhenderson
This is great drama with passion, gods, plot complications, and difficult family relationships. But what else would you expect from Euripides, whose dramas have last for thousands of years and have inspired great dramatists well into our current times.

This classic volume of four plays, edited by
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David Grene and Richmond Lattimore, includes Medea, Hippolytus, Alcestis, and The Children of Heracles. There are few dramas that demonstrate passion in the way that Medea does. When her husband Jason leaves her for adventure and other women Medea plots to exact a revenge that raises the question whether she is exacting justice or merely mad.

In Hippolytus it is the relationships among the characters that stood out for me amidst a complicated plot influenced by rivalry among the gods (Aphrodite and Artemis). The drama highlights the relationship between Hippolytus and his father Theseus, but also brings in to play the importance of the Nurse and her relationship with Phaedra. This is notable because Euripides, unlike his predecessor Aeschylus.

Throughout these plays the influence of the gods is important in determining the fate of the characters leading to questions about the nature of fate and destiny. Just as important are large questions about justice and honor as when Athens protects the children of Heracles when they seek asylum. This example also demonstrates how relevant these plays are to our life today and explains, in part, why they have been so influential over the centuries. We are indebted to Euripides for his examination of the nature of humanity with both its flaws and greatness. I would recommend these plays to all who want to understand what it means to be human.
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LibraryThing member stephencbird
Most of this collection made sense to me. "The Medea" is the best known of the four plays in this collection, and while I clearly knew what was going on in that play--As well as in "Hippolytus" and for the most part in "Alcestis"--"The Heracleidae" was so confusing, long-winded and ultimately
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baffling that I actually put this collection aside for a few weeks before I could resume it. In spite of that--Overall I continue to be impressed with the modernity of Euripides' writing ("..... Euripides marks the beginning of modern psychological tragedy"--David Greene (on page 160 of this text). It's amazing that 2,400 years after these plays were written--The very human issues brought to the fore by the playwright still resonate. Still--As an autodidactic academic--I'm not an expert in this genre. So after completing this book, I re-read the general introduction to this compilation by Richmond Lattimore (who translated "Alcestis"), as well the respective introductions by the three other translators--Rex Warner, Ralph Gladstone and David Greene. I was also inspired to read the Wikipedia Synopsis / Motivations of "Alcestis", as well as Wikipedia background information on "The Heracleidae", to help me to better understand those plays--If only superficially. In closing--I also recommend the film "Phaedra" that I saw a couple of years ago (starring Melina Mercouri and Anthony Perkins)--That picture being an excellent adaptation of "Hippolytus".
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Language

Original publication date

1955

Physical description

230 p.; 6.9 inches

ISBN

0671478079 / 9780671478070
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