ste3ve_b1rd's review against another edition
5.0
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.
circularcubes's review against another edition
4.0
Bloody murders, incest, hubris! Who doesn't love a good dose of Greek drama?
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
This review is of the translation by Emily Townsend Vermeule (Elektra), Elizabeth Wyckoff (Phoenician Women), and William Arrowsmith (Bakkhai).
Well, to be entirely honest, the only redeeming factor about this collection of William Arrowsmith's translation of ΒΆΚΧΑΙ, which is surprisingly excellent. It's not my favourite version (for better or for worse, that honour goes to Anne Carson's version), but it's far from the worst I've read.
Well, to be entirely honest, the only redeeming factor about this collection of William Arrowsmith's translation of ΒΆΚΧΑΙ, which is surprisingly excellent. It's not my favourite version (for better or for worse, that honour goes to Anne Carson's version), but it's far from the worst I've read.
troystory's review
5.0
This is an excellent collection of tragedies, with wonderful translations and great commentary in the introductions. My favourite has to be The Bacchae - it's unmatched in its raw ferocity, its wildness, its blatant violrnce and horror, and yet it is such a thrill to read. Out of the remaining two, I have a fondness for Electra. She is a tormented soul, thrust into an unhappy situation. I sympathized with both Electra and Clytemnestra, and my heart went out to both of them. Really, these are a delight to read. I look forward to reading more Euripides!
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