The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, the Libation-Bearers and the Furies [Paperback]

Aeschylus (Author), E.D.A. Morshead (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 1996

Classic trilogy by great tragedian deals with the bloody history of the House of Atreus. Grand in style, rich in diction and dramatic dialogue, the plays embody Aeschylus' concerns with the destiny and fate of both individuals and the state, all played out under the watchful eye of the gods.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 24, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486292428
• ISBN-13: 978-0486292427
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Greek & Roman

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Antique for Ancient Aeschylus, July 31, 2009

By 

Giordano Bruno (Wherever I am, I am.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, the Libation-Bearers and the Furies (Paperback)

This 'late Victorian-style' translation, by A. Morshead, was first published as vol. 8 of The Harvard Classics in 1909. To my eyes, it's unreadable, full of pompous syntax and jangling rhymes, replete with archaic language that alludes more to Medieval epic than to classic Greek. It has been re-issued as a Dover Thrift Edition at giveaway price; to be blunt, it should be retired forevermore. Any poor reader who encounters Aeschylus in this form first will never be tempted to look at another Greek drama.
See my review of Robert Lowell's 'adaptation' of the Oresteia for some thoughts about the original. That translation is also inadequate, but at least readable. I'm still searching for a better choice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Verdict, "Two Thumbs Up", September 15, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, the Libation-Bearers and the Furies (Paperback)

...
"The Eumenides" was a captivating play with a few minor flaws. To fully understand the play, one must first understand the history that went on before the play took place. "The Eumenides" was written by Aeschylus and is also known as "The Furies", the third play of The Oresteia Trilogy. This play is set around the time period of 1250 B.C., approximately the same time as the Trojan War. The main character of the play is Orestes from Argos. In the plays before "The Eumenides", Orestes killed his mom, Clytemnestra, who killed Orestes' dad, Agamemnon, after he returned home from war. Orestes was told by Apollo to kill his mom in order to avenge his father's death. Therefore, this is the reason "The Eumenides" began at Apollo's temple.
Aeschylus was an Athenian man who wrote thirteen first place plays. He wrote this tragedy around 458 B.C. This play had some new innovations for its time period, such as a second actor, elaborate staging, and poetic diction. Aeschylus was in the navy at Salamis and

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took part in the Persian Invasion in 480 B.C. He died in 456 B.C., when an eagle dropped a tortoise on his head, crushing his skull.
"The Eumenides" was a great play, as were the other two of the trilogy. The poetic words seemed to flow from the actors' mouths, maybe a little too much when the Furies spoke prior to the trial. The Furies were annoying throughout the play and had too many rambling speaking parts. However, the play contained a practical plot line that is still fit for today's society, even though it was written some 2,461 years ago. I enjoyed seeing how the people from long ago dealt with similar issues, which still haunt our society today.
The plot appeared to flow steadily throughout the play. All of the various scenes streamed together and gave an insight into what life was like for Orestes. However, there wasn't much action throughout the play, but the lack of action was made up with suspense provided during the trial. Overall, Aeschylus did an excellent job writing the play.
Throughout "The Eumenides" Aeschylus chose his words perfectly. The poetic words surged smoothly through the actors' mouths. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts was listening to how Aeschylus managed to make rhymes that lasted for a good five minutes, while still making sense. He also used excellent metaphors and similes to emphasize certain points being made during the trial. Although the words may have been offensive to some, they helped highlight the common thought most people had in that time period. The language was difficult to understand at first, but as the play went on, the language became easier to understand.

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Perhaps one of the best qualities about this play is how it relates to today's society. We are still forced to judge whether a person is innocent or guilty of murder. We still ask God for help and believe that God knows best for us. We also have a similar court system, such as the one the Athenians used. "The Eumenides" shows how we should always obey our God, just as the Athenians did because God will always be on our side, just like Apollo was towards Orestes. In addition, it was interesting to see how the gods interacted with the humans in the Greek times. The play made it clear that gods played a huge role in the decision making at the trial and all other life decisions of the citizens.
Most of "The Eumenides" was entertaining; however, there were a few dreadful parts. Before the trial, the Furies spoke way too much. The Furies points could have been made in a one or two minute speech, instead of an eight to ten minute speech. Moreover, the way the Furies talked was annoying. I couldn't stand to listen to one of them start a line, and another one finish it. It was hard to tell who was talking because they wore masks. Furthermore, the Furies continual swaying movement drove me crazy.
The actors and costumes were a perfect match for the play. The actors appeared very natural at their roles. They weren't too dramatic, but they weren't stoic either. The costumes were great as well. They had just enough clues to be able to tell who was who.
Overall, the "perfectly cast" actors speak their words poetically throughout the play. In addition, it is refreshing to watch a play in which the old-fashioned props and costumes are used. Plus, I like the idea of religion playing a prominent part in the characters' lives, since most modern plays try to avoid religion. "The Eumenides" isn't just the greatest play of The Oresteia Trilogy, but one of the greatest plays of all time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Same Then and Now, September 8, 2003

By 

Emily Cole (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, the Libation-Bearers and the Furies (Paperback)

The Oresteia Trilogy by Aeschylus is a detailed portrayal of a family's curse and the effect it takes on them. Aeschylus wrote this trilogy between 500 B.C and 456 B.C. when the great Greek plays were being written and performed by all Athenians. Aeschylus wrote many trilogies, winning approximately thirteen first place prizes at the festivals in March. He led a life of adventure participating in several wars, the most famous being the war at Marathon.

Even though Aeschylus wrote this trilogy hundreds of years ago, it can still be related to life today in the 21st Century. As one reads the plays one can envision their own town or life in his work. For this reason it is regarded as a "Great Greek Tragedy" and no one here seems to be arguing.

As The Oresteia Trilogy begins to unravel the reader begins to experience the lives and times of the characters. They are given an exclusive view into the minds and souls of each character as they contemplate each decision.

Clytemnestra and the characters surrounding her were experiencing many of the trials and life situations citizens experience today. As the Trojan War raged on in the trilogy and the citizens dealt with the absence of husbands and fathers, our country also deals with the same situation and Iraq. Wives were constantly facing the thought of their husbands' deaths or infidelity. Even though Clytemnestra had different reactions to these than most women, she still felt and experienced them.

Cyltemnestra's feelings weren't unjust; her instincts of Agamemnon's infidelity were truthful. As Agamemnon was unfaithful to his wife Clytemnestra, our culture also deals with many couples that cannot seem to be pleased with just one mate.
When many of these affairs are revealed violence can erupt. Violence is also a major issue in this trilogy as it is in society now. The citizens of Mycenae dealt with murders, matricides, attacks, wars and many other violent behaviors.

Citizens today cannot deny the existence of too much violence in the world. We are constantly reminded, by the media, of similar murders of family members, like those in the trilogy. The reader is also constantly reminded of the violence by the never-ending curse in the story.

With violence comes death, and with death comes mourning. As Electra and her brother Orestes bring Libations to their father's grave, families around the world also bring flowers and offerings to their own loved one's graves in hope to let the spirits rest.

But with murder and crime justice will soon follow. No reader can deny the vast similarities between our current judicial system and the system of ancient Rome. The similarities begin with a jury, plaintiff, defense, and a judge, and the list continues.

The furies also represent things in modern times. As they were tyrants and inescapable reminders, they are like guilty consciences and constant reminders that follow criminals and victims today.

Even though The Oresteia Trilogy was written almost twenty-five hundred years ago, Aeschylus seems to be able to still connect with his readers. You can envision yourself in the situations of the characters and are able to input your own thoughts to the story. With each new event, a new similarity between the ancient world and the 21st century world is pointed out. Many lessons can be learned from reading this classic. Be ready to read your own life in The Oresteia Trilogy by Aeschylus.