Euripides V: Electra, The Phoenician Women, The Bacchae (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 5) (Vol 7) [Paperback]

Euripides (Author), David Grene (Editor), Richmond Lattimore (Editor), Emily Townsend Vermeule (Translator, Introduction), Elizabeth Wyckoff (Translator, Introduction), William Arrowsmith (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226307840 | ISBN-13: 978-0226307848 | Publication Date: January 15, 1969

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richmond Lattimore (1906–1984) was a poet, translator, and longtime professor of Greek at Bryn Mawr College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (January 15, 1969)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226307840
• ISBN-13: 978-0226307848
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Classical & Early
  • #11 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Greek & Roman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very fine version, August 19, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Euripides V: Electra, The Phoenician Women, The Bacchae (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 5) (Vol 7) (Paperback)

The three plays presented in "Euripides V" are all important works: Electra, The Phoenician Women, and The Bacchae.

The editors are David Grene (who translated and provided the Introduction to "The History" by Herodotus) and Richmond Lattimore. Both are well reputed scholars of the classics. Before each play, they provide useful context and critical evaluations of the work. Emily Townsend Vermeule provides a competent translation.

The works stand or fall on the basis of the original quality of the plays and the competence of the translation. As such, each of the plays is worthwhile. The editors do a nice job of providing critical analysis (note some of the comparisons between Sophocles and Euripides).

In the end, this is a useful version of the three plays and a nice entree to the work of one of the great Greek tragedians. The work closes with a nice chronology of the plays of Euripides. In the final analysis, well done.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Lattimore/Grene 'Euripides V', June 27, 2009

By 

Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Euripides V: Electra, The Phoenician Women, The Bacchae (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 5) (Vol 7) (Paperback)

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this volume. It's the last of Euripides', perhaps, I thought, the place to stick all the plays that no one will ever get to. However, the 'Bacchae' was an especially enjoyable read, a great way to end my reading of Greek tragedy.

As usual, this volume presents excellent translations, but lacks proper footnotes to explain passing mythological references to the reader.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed This -- Especially "The Bacchae", October 20, 2011

By 

Stephen C. Bird (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Euripides V: Electra, The Phoenician Women, The Bacchae (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 5) (Vol 7) (Paperback)

After reading the introduction to this series, I expected something much more fractured than what I encountered on the page; however, I found Euripides' style in this work to be very coherent. After reading Aeschylus, I noticed the aesthetic jump that Euripides had taken via the psychological subtext inherent in his characters. Whereas reading Aeschylus felt flat (although I enjoyed "Agamemnon"); there was too much exposition in Aeschylus; too much that did not expedite the forward motion of his plays. Whereas with Euripides, one is transported directly into the action that is happening in the present moment of the play, by means of the narrative, as well as the dialogue. Also noteworthy is Euripides' technique of having the characters exchange one-liners in dialogue. Although I immediately connected to all of the dramas in this edition, "The Bacchae" is a standout. It's a dark, crazy, absurd and even funny play; the highlight being the "Celebrity Death Match" between Pentheus and Dionysus. As grim as scenario of "The Bacchae" is, it often reads like a comedy (the scene with Pentheus "in drag" after having been hypnotized by Dionysus is hysterical). Euripides was ahead of his time, avant-garde; therefore of the great and / or known Greek playwrights, he was the one who garnered the fewest prizes. I'm looking forward to reading "Hippolytus" in Euripides I of this series.

Stephen C. Bird, author of "Hideous Exuberance: A Satire"