queen_squid's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leasread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ultimatecryptid's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One of the most important classics, and for a reason. If you enjoy ritual sacrifice and parental ownership of a child you'll enjoy this play. but the fact that we were focussing so closely on Clytemnestra's opinions instead holds its own interest.
Spoiler
Iphigenia's decision to sacrifice herself at the end of the play would have held more weight if we'd seen more of her thoughts when she first learned of it,jujumo's review against another edition
3.0
It's a great story told in a dated manner, but still a very engaging read. Through the lens of today, I have problems with the parts that are just merely summarized and the Greek chorus - but at its core, the story of a vengeful goddess (who is never seen) playing with the lives of her subservient men, shines through.
cissy_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maudesmeeiris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jasonfurman's review against another edition
5.0
I worry that it is a reflection on my middlebrow approach to literature that this was one of my favorite plays (and if I were left to my own devices I would rate it above Oedipus Rex). It feels very contemporary: the plot mostly advances through dialog, there are a number of twists and turns, the chorus plays a minimal role, there is no deus ex machina, and relatively minimal intrusions of exposition. In other ways it feels very much like a Greek tragedy as characters wrestle with moral dilemmas that (tautologically) have no good answers.
This is the 14th Greek play I've read set in the world of the Trojan War (I didn't set out to read all of them, it was more of a binge read where one led to another, and at this point only Rhesus is left so I might as well read this). Plus I've read the Iliad, Odyssey, other fictional treatments, and more. And this is the very first time that Agamemnon seemed sympathetic and interesting, instead of various combinations of arrogant, stubborn and aloof. Iphigenia at Aulis begins with his second thoughts about sacrificing his daughter and what is ultimately a ham-handed effort to stop it. He then argues with his brother Menelaus and you can feel for his balancing of an absolutely horrific act with his broader responsibility (and self interest). Menelaus is also more human than he is elsewhere, eventually persuaded by his brother that his niece shouldn't be sacrificed.
The drama really is an action-oriented one, even a melodrama. Clytemnestra shows up having believed the ruse that Iphigenia is going to be married to Achilles, she is excited about it after Achilles is described to him (which itself is fascinating since she didn't previously know him so he is described to the reader from scratch). Achilles himself is among the less interesting characters, much less interesting than the rage character that dominates the Iliad, instead he feels young, inexperienced, and his impulse to defend Iphigenia feels laudable but also naive and possibly more about his vanity than morality.
The least satisfying part was Iphigenia's abrupt and unexplained conversion to the accepting saintly victim who accepts her own sacrifice without trying to use Achilles to escape from it. She even tells her mother not to blame her father, which evidently didn't work out that well.
It's possible that this play does not repay repeated readings in the way that so many of the others do, I've only read it once so I'll tell you when I read it again in a decade or so. But for a first read it was a real page turner, made me think, and I don't think I'll forget the way these characters grapple with their fates or maybe their choices.
This is the 14th Greek play I've read set in the world of the Trojan War (I didn't set out to read all of them, it was more of a binge read where one led to another, and at this point only Rhesus is left so I might as well read this). Plus I've read the Iliad, Odyssey, other fictional treatments, and more. And this is the very first time that Agamemnon seemed sympathetic and interesting, instead of various combinations of arrogant, stubborn and aloof. Iphigenia at Aulis begins with his second thoughts about sacrificing his daughter and what is ultimately a ham-handed effort to stop it. He then argues with his brother Menelaus and you can feel for his balancing of an absolutely horrific act with his broader responsibility (and self interest). Menelaus is also more human than he is elsewhere, eventually persuaded by his brother that his niece shouldn't be sacrificed.
The drama really is an action-oriented one, even a melodrama. Clytemnestra shows up having believed the ruse that Iphigenia is going to be married to Achilles, she is excited about it after Achilles is described to him (which itself is fascinating since she didn't previously know him so he is described to the reader from scratch). Achilles himself is among the less interesting characters, much less interesting than the rage character that dominates the Iliad, instead he feels young, inexperienced, and his impulse to defend Iphigenia feels laudable but also naive and possibly more about his vanity than morality.
The least satisfying part was Iphigenia's abrupt and unexplained conversion to the accepting saintly victim who accepts her own sacrifice without trying to use Achilles to escape from it. She even tells her mother not to blame her father, which evidently didn't work out that well.
It's possible that this play does not repay repeated readings in the way that so many of the others do, I've only read it once so I'll tell you when I read it again in a decade or so. But for a first read it was a real page turner, made me think, and I don't think I'll forget the way these characters grapple with their fates or maybe their choices.
victoriabrohus's review against another edition
5.0
This is the tragedy I've ever read, and I loved it. I really enjoy the old Greek culture and in this play there is so much to learn about the time it was made and also the norms during that time.
I like the characters and how the choir actually questions the existence of the gods.
In general it's just an easy to read, amusing yet very touching play that is a must-read.
I like the characters and how the choir actually questions the existence of the gods.
In general it's just an easy to read, amusing yet very touching play that is a must-read.