Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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"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.

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.

The Oresteia Trilogy, written by Aeschylus, consisted of three well written plays; Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers, and The Furies. Even though Aeschylus lived in Athens from 525 until 456 B.C., he wrote the play to take place around 1250 B.C. Even though I struggled with the language, the characters had such strong feelings they made the play easier to understand. Aeschylus always gave his characters great emotional range, their feelings moved from one extreme to the other. For example, when Clytemnestra found out that Agamemnon had killed their daughter Iphigenia, she knew the only way to avenge him would be to kill him.
Orestes plan to avenge his mother was complicated. The god Apollo, as well as Electra, thought Clytemnestra deserved to die because she killed her husband. Apollo thought it might help
end the curse on the house of Atreus. Regardless, the Chorus thought Orestes' murder was much worse than the murder Clytemnestra committed. Orestes committed matricide, the murdering of one's mother. I liked this passage. I could relate what Orestes was going through, but on a different level. I know what it's like to be indifferent and have everybody expect you to do something, regardless of how you actually feel. Peer pressure is hard enough to deal with and worse if your beliefs aren't set in stone. Being confused and pressured made Orestes' character seem real to me.
I would definitely recommend The Oresteia Trilogy to anyone as a spectacular play to read. The way the characters' emotions were portrayed and toyed with made the play come to life. I thought Aeschylus did a great job of bringing all of his characters, especially Orestes, to life. The plot was really well developed and made the play much more captivating to read. Overall, this is one of the best plays I have read in an extremely long time. Aeschylus definitely deserved all of his awards for being a playwright.

I found this book pretty enjoyable. The first 25 pages were difficult to read and there were several instances where one character would speak for several pages at a time, but once I was able to adjust to the text and get past the diatribes, I found the story to be very good. I often found myself wondering what would happen next as I read the story. This book wouldn't be my first choice for reading matherial if I had a library to choose from, but I definitely recommend it.

Aeschylus, the father of tragic poetry, lived a life of glory and hardships. Born in 525 BC, he lived sixty-nine years and took pride in calling Athens his home. Early in life he fought in battles and was a member of the navy at Salamis. Later, he grew to love writing plays and poetry. He won first place thirteen times at the Dionysus festival for his own works. One of his greatest masterpieces, The Oresteia Trilogy, was among those awarded. This play took place in 1250 BC and sets the foundation for future works of Greek mythology. It incorporates ideas and themes that prove it one of the greatest works of its time. The Trojan War forces a beloved husband into battle, leaving a wife to begin the plot of his death. Trust, revenge, courage, faith, and loyalty to ones family and the gods are important issues faced by the people. Every person has a duty and every action has a consequence.
Aeschylus cleverly develops an interesting plot based on justice and revenge, unimportance of women, and the influence of the gods. These ideas are intertwined within the story, keeping readers well entertained and eager to read on. Readers are left to wonder whether the character's actions were justified. The characters' actions are constantly being questioned, and their lives prove to be an exciting and adventurous experience for people to read about.
The Greek tragedy is based on a complicated line of revenge and quests for justice. A mother getting revenge for a daughter's death and a son justifying his father's murder are two examples of vengeance that provide a necessary aspect of the play. In the beginning, Clytemnestra feels the need to avenge her husband's action when forced to choose between his fatherly duty and the gods. Readers become aware of the thoughts and feelings of her and are drawn into her argument against Agamemnon. In the end, Agamemnon puts the gods as a higher importance to him than his daughter. Most people believe that his actions were necessary because it was the will of the gods. Clytemnestra, however, is furious at her husband and begins the plot of his murder. Clytemnestra is full of triumph after Agamemnon's death; however, the city people are in shock and upset at the thought of her gaining power. The news of his father's death eventually reaches Orestes who is devastated and hurt by what his own mother did to his father. Orestes is commanded by Apollo to get revenge on the actions of his mother. With the support of Apollo, Orestes murders his mother and puts her actions to justice. Readers are forced to decide for themselves whether the character's actions were justified. Some people believe Orestes' actions were justified because he had Apollo's support. Others believe Clytemnesra isn't to blame because she was already punished by her death. The play is intellectually challenging because readers are constantly developing an opinion of the characters.
In history, women were known to have very little rights. Aeschylus makes it very apparent in this play that women are inferior to men. During the trial of Orestes, Apollo says that women aren't even considered a blood relative of their child. Apollo argues, "Not the true parent is the woman's womb that bears the child; she doth but nurse the seed." He is referring to the father as the true parent who gives the seed to enable the child's existence. This leads to his claim that by killing Clytemnestra he committed no matricide. Athene, the goddess presiding over the court agrees with Apollo because she has no mother and supports the beliefs about the father. Present day readers are aware of the fact that children need both the mother and the father. It is interesting to compare the beliefs of today to the beliefs of the ancient times. Women today can look back and appreciate all the wonderful things they have accomplished over the years. Now, women are given almost every right that is granted to a man. Women continue to overcome their many years of insignificance, with achieving goals and celebrating accomplishments.
Aeschylus presents the gods as very important and a dominating aspect of the play. The sacrifice of a daughter and the murder of a mother are all in accordance of the will of the gods. The gods represent a sort of important governing factor in the lives of these ancient Greek people. They live to please them in their everyday lives. The gods play an important role in the trial of Orestes. Apollo acts as his lawyer who defends him from the furies. In a way, Apollo got Orestes in this situation and is the one who helps him gain his freedom back. Athene, the goddess presiding over the court is also very influential in the court's decision. She casts the deciding vote in Orestes' fight for freedom. The gods often forced the characters to choose between their family and the gods themselves. The greatest example is when Agamemnon had to choose between his daughter and the gods. Readers are often reminded of a time when they were forced to choose between their family and something else of great importance to them.
The Orestia Trilogy by Aeschylus proves itself as one of the greatest masterpieces of ancient Greek mythology. The dominant themes of justice, woman inequality, and power of the gods add a vital part to the story as a whole. Readers are drawn into the world of ancient times and experience the happiness and the hardships along with the characters. The Orestia Trilogy has been in existence for over 2400 years and continues to influence the lives of its readers.

The lives of the ancient Greek peoples are most often referred to as mythology, legends passed down from one generation to another; but are they really? Haven't archeologists presented us with enough information to convince most people that there really was a Trojan War and that Julius Caesar and Cleopatra did exist? Some people might be skeptical, but after reading Aeschylus' plays of The Oresteia Trilogy, I am convinced that most of the events in Greek mythology took place.
Aeschylus, called "The Father of Tragedy," was an Athenian born in 525 B.C., during Athens's most glorious time. He was a wonderful playwright who had numerous contributions to Greek theatre. Aeschylus introduced a second actor into the plays, reduced the amount of people in the chorus, and was the first to use elaborate staging. These contributions helped him not only win thirteen first place prizes at the Greek play festivals but also help lay the groundwork that the performing arts would need to prosper.
The Oresteia Trilogy is set shortly after the end of the Trojan War, which was fought over Helen, the wife of Menelaus whom Paris, the son of King Prian, kidnapped because she was the most beautiful woman in the world. The first of the three plays, "Agamemnon", tells about the battles Agamemnon, the ruler of Argos, and Menelaus, Agamemnon's brother, endured during the Trojan War and the events that took place once Agamemnon returned home to his wife, Clytemnestra. The second play, "The Libation-Bearers", depicts the events that took place once Agamemnon and Clytemnestra's son, Orestes, returned home from being out of the country to find
Agamemnon dead and the family fortune taken over by someone unworthy. In "The Furies", Orestes is put on trial for a heinous crime he committed and the trial that takes place represents the transformation that the Greek's justice system underwent from its old to new ways.
The way Orestes' trial was conducted was just one item from these plays that convinced me that the Greeks and their lives are not all mythological. While I will not share exactly who Orestes murdered, he was put through a fair trail, one that was way ahead of the time. Both sides were allowed to present their case against the other. Apollo, representing Orestes, points out that the Furies' form of justice, aggravating someone until they are dead, is intolerable because it implies that the blood bond is stronger than the marriage bond and will in turn result in generations of blood-feuds. The Furies on the other hand believe that Orestes should pay with his life, but the decision is up to the jury of twelve Athenian men to decide. Each of the jurors was able to vote on the fate of Orestes by placing a rock in either the guilty or the not guilty jar, but if tied, the judge, Athena, would cast the final vote.
In The Oresteia Trilogy, I also liked the way that Aeschylus addressed a topic that is still very relevant today. He creates a battle of the sexes between Agamemnon and Clytemnestra in the first play and then one between Orestes and Clytemnestra in the second play. They each argue with each other over different things but in the end each sex wins one of the battles. In today's society women are still competing with men in almost everything and will probably remain this way for a long time.
Besides the battle of the sexes, Aeschylus also poses these questions- When is murder justified and is killing one's mother worse than a wife killing her husband? There are several murders committed throughout these plays and all of the murderers say that they have justification for the crime they commit. When someone kills their mother, the furies claim that that crime is worse than if a woman kills her husband because there is no blood relationship. I think that this a good point
presented by the furies, but I also believe that no murder is justified. To find out what the people of ancient Greece believe, then you need to read the book.
In general, Aeschylus' plays were easy to read and very interesting. They not only tell about different gods in Greek mythology, but also give support to the fact that these people were once alive and functioned in a society, not much different from the way we live today, just without the modern conveniences. Aeschylus foreshadowed the way the modern day justice system would be like and also showed that the people in Athens at that time were very advanced in their intelligence. As for the fate of Orestes and his mother, Clytemnestra, that is something you will just have to find out for yourself.

Can you picture an open-air theater in ancient Greece, with actors making the plays come alive with their sharp words and elaborate gestures? Can you picture the audience, so enthralled with the performances, that they don't even move all day? Can
you imagine what it would have been like to witness the building blocks of 21st century theater? Well, most spectators were just there for the entertainment; totally oblivious to the actual depth of the playwright's writing. "The Oresteia Trilogy," written by eschylus, is considered one of the most influential Greek tragedies in history. Aeschylus was born near Athens, Greece and became the first major Greek tragedian. The trilogy takes place around 1250 B.C. and is somewhat of an ancient Greek soap opera. It portrays the chaotic lives of Greece's royal family after the brutal assassination of the king, Agamemnon. It all started with a grave curse put on the house generations
before, and the curse is still going strong. With each line in the play, the story gets more twisted and distorted. Aeschylus is widely renowned for his work on "The Oresteia Trilogy."

Overall, "The Oresteia Trilogy" is an extraordinary piece of literature. The concepts Aeschylus brought into the play, such as more dialogue, definitely set the trilogy apart from other works. At first, it may be hard to follow the dialogue in the play. However, as the play progresses, one may actually adapt to the dialogue and may, in fact, become absorbed in it. The plot of the trilogy is extremely complex; once the language barrier is broken, the reading actually becomes enjoyable and exciting. For example, "The bloody act is over/ I have heard the monarch's cry/ Let us swiftly take some counsel/ Lest we too be doomed to die" captures the fear in the narrators moments after Agamemnon's death. Aeschylus created drama with his choice of words and through his characters. He tried to portray the intertwining lives of the gods and the people. Aeschylus had an obvious fascination with Greek mythology, and that is revealed throughout his writing. The involvement and many references to the gods also shows that Aeschylus had a great understanding of Greek mythology. Aeschylus knew his stuff, and therefore created a wonderful account of life in ancient Greece. The drama created through the assassination, revenge, and final judgment in the trilogy is extremely immense. "The Oresteia Trilogy" is a modern work of art, and anyone can benefit from reading it.

"The Oresteia Trilogy" has influenced writing throughout history. Aeschylus is a prominent playwright still today. Reading his work will give a glimpse into ancient Greek life, mixed with wonderfully manipulated dialogue. The actual dialogue may be challenging at first, but becomes an adventure throughout the trilogy. There is great respect for Aeschylus as a playwright; he paved the way for future tragedians. His first
trilogy has stayed so influential because people can still relate to it today. Obviously, Aeschylus knew what would grasp the audience's attention, and hold it. Old man Aeschylus knew his stuff, hands down, and still remains a hero in my book.

The Oresteia Trilogy proposes some immoral issues, but that is a significant quality for great literature to have. This play introduces ideas that are not commonly accepted in today's society. Being introduced to these ideas as a high school or college student through a play can and will prepare that student for immoral issues and ideas that will come their way during life. These rare ideas force a reader to think further into the contents of the play rather than enjoy the play for merely the character and plot.
Most parts of the play are noticeably unlike what contemporary writing we read these days. These parts might blow a reader's mind, but will definitely keep them attracted to the play. For the most part, we do not believe in the concept of many different gods. Nor do we believe that our God interacts so closely with the human race. In The Oresteia Trilogy many different gods influence mortals and often have close relationships with them. If a god would give a command to a human, that human would feel as if it were their duty to follow out with the god's command, even if it risked their relationship with their family. For example, Orestes felt as if Apollo's command to avenge his father's death was superior to his conscience, and Orestes followed through.
Throughout the play, characters frequently dismiss a conflict simply by murder. In today's world, we are constantly encouraged to work out our problems without violence. We understand that consequences of our actions, and realize that violence doesn't not usually go unpunished. Agamemnon chooses to start a war that lasts ten years in order to get back his brothers wife.
The Oresteia Trilogy is somewhat of a fantasy as well. While reading about kings and queens, gods and goddesses, and creatures from the underworld, this play helps the reader to escape reality and forces them to use their imagination as it is with all Greek mythology. A reader obviously wouldn't be able to directly relate to any character or situation, but would have to connect with the story at a different level. One would
have to find the deeper meaning. For instance, the trial of Orestes is more than his destiny, but a matter of how the court system and justice prevails today. When reading this play, it is necessary to consider the influence that it has on our world now. These stories and plays are still read and still introduced to readers at the high school level and beyond. There is obviously a reason for that, and The Oresteia Trilogy is example of that reason. It can teach us more than just information about the Greek gods, but will also familiarize us with a different history and a one of a kind storyline.
In this play, characters take situations to the extreme. It is necessary to continue to read of these extremities today to view things in a various ways. We can't always read or write in the typical expected language of today's traditions. Reading such traditions can help to broaden our horizons. This play is not what you would call an "easy reader," but is something that should be read.

Loyalty, betrayal, love, hatred, friends, enemies: all of these defining elements are found in the intriguing story of an ancient curse and the effects it had on it's unfortunate prey. The Oresteia Trilogy, a famous Greek tragedy, was written by the Greek dramatist Aeschylus in the 400's BC. This tragedy has survived and thrived throughout the ages to become a well-known and highly acclaimed item in the literary world.
Aeschylus lived in what we know as the "glorious time" of Greece from 525 BC to 456 BC. He was a soldier in the Battle of Marathon and a member of the Athenian navy at the Battle of Salamis when Persia invaded his country. Following his times as a participant in these battles, he preformed his first tragedy, Dionysus. This would be the beginning of many plays, 13 of which would win him first place in different competitions and festivals. Aeschylus was a literary genius, an innovative playwright, and an ambitious, creative man.
For one of his stories, Aeschylus chose to tell his audience the tragic story of the curse set upon the House of Pelops, the ruling family of Mycenae. The curse continues
through the generations of this family, plunging into the lives of the two sons of Pelops, Atreus and Thyestes. Continuing on, the curse falls into the House of Agamemnon, who is the son of Atreus.
It is at this turning point in history that Aeschylus's story, The Oresteia Trilogy, opens. For ten long years, the Greek army has been fighting in Troy. Helen, the wife of Agamemnon's brother, Menelaus, was kidnapped by the Trojan prince, Paris. Before the Greeks could set out for Troy, however, they had to please the gods so that they would allow the winds to carrying the Greek ships to their destination. For this to happen, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia. Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, will never overcome her anguish and heartache from this grievous event. Thus, ten years later, when Agamemnon returns victorious from his pursuit, she murders him, along with his newfound mistress, in cold blood.
The killing of Clytemnestra by her son, Orestes, trails the treacherous murder of Agamemnon, king of Argos. Orestes feels as though he must avenge his father's death. His plan is successful, until yet another curse occurs in our story; Clytemnestra curses Orestes just before she falls dead under his sword. The final quandary in our story is that of Orestes dealing with the Furies, the ancient goddesses of revenge who will pursue him until no end.
The complete approach to the way The Oresteia Trilogy was written is ingenious. Aeschylus begins his tale with a watchman recounting his feelings and mind-set of the battling war in Troy. By crafting his story in this manner, Aeschylus allows the readers to figure many things out on their own by paying close attention to the beginning of the story, thus keeping them intrigued. This type of opening also immediately throws the audience into the lives of the characters; and these characters are not simple characters. Although they may not have a great deal of speaking lines, they no doubt play an unseen essential role in the play. Beginning with the watchman at the start of the story all the way to the goddess Athena at the end of the story, the characters are defined and fashioned so that the story comes alive when they are present.
Aeschylus's dictation allows the audience to almost peer into the very soul of the characters. The same fears and joys and thrills the characters encompass, the audience embraces as well. It is in the portrayal of his characters that Aeschylus is able to unify his story and present it to the audience in the most profound way possible.
The famous events that Aeschylus decides to include in his story are still of significance at present. The Trojan war is still studied in great depth today. This war is the topic of discussions and debates throughout the world. Also found in The Oresteia Trilogy is the thought on how the justice and court systems used in numerous parts of the world today originated. Orestes is so engulfed by the Furies toward the end of the story that he goes to the gods and goddesses for refuge. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, puts Orestes on trial. The way she conducted her trial was conducted in much the same way our justice systems practice today. It is because of some of these factors that people throughout all ages of history have been able to relate to and enjoy this famous tragedy.
The Oresteia Trilogy has all divisions of literature, from murder to romance to adventure. If it was not a brilliant choice of story and word, it would not have survived 2,500 years up to the present. Aeschylus was a ground-breaking dramatist who improved the quality of literature and drama of his day. One can only imagine what it would have been like to be able to view this tragedy on it's opening day. The Oresteia Trilogy is a work of literature that must be experienced by all.