essierain's review against another edition
4.0
[4 ⭐]
Ambientada en preludio a la marcha contra Troya, los dioses le piden a Agamenón, el principal caudillo del enorme batallón griego, el sacrificio de su hija mayor, Ifigenia. Él acepta, porque así lo demandan los dioses y así el destino lo requiere si esperan llegar a Troya, pero luego se arrepiente. Pronto llega la ingenua Ifigenia, que engañada por los mensajeros que ha enviado su padre, llega a la costa donde los barcos han quedado barados sin viento, con la idea de que contraerá matrimonio con nada menos que Aquiles. Clitemnestra y ella se hayan extasiadas con la idea de que la familia una sus vínculos con lo más cercano a los dioses, pero pronto ese futuro idílico se ensombrece cuando Clitemnestra descubre la verdadera razón de su estadía.
Ifigenia en Aúlide es el drama de un padre que no sabe si servir a los dioses y a su patria, o a su deber como progenitor y una hija que ve como su destino no es nada de lo que una vez pensó.
—
No sabía que esta cosa existía: un antes a Troya. Me vergüenza decirlo, pero me avergüenza aún más que en mi investigación, sobre todo el misticismo que envuelve a la magnánima y bien conocida guerra de Troya, esta obra se me haya pasado por alto.
Más me siento completamente feliz de haberla leído en una edad donde puedo apreciar con más consciencia cada palabra e hilar conexiones con troya, en lugar de mis locos y obsesivos 13/14 donde quería que todo giraba en torno a Grecia y donde todo se sentía como el fin de mundo. Leer esta obra ha despertado esa llamita griega que hace mucho creía controlada, y que creo culminará en un incendio como el que debería haber en el partenon de atenas, porque no puedo leer esto y no leer troya, luego Ulises y después, para llorar aún más,: la canción de alquiles (que aunque no data de ese tiempo, es un trabajo bien logrado en cuanto a investigación y creación)
Aún después de toda esta perorata, tiene 4 estrellas porque aunque me guste mucho lo relacionado con grecia, aquí, la postura de Ifigenia (deus ex machina) ante su destino me parece algo imposible de aceptar, ignorar o aplaudir. No me gusta. Posiblemente debería haber un "poquito" más desarrollo para que Ifigenia logré desaferrarse¿? A la vida y aceptar su destino; eso es algo que definitivamente alargaria más la obra, pero que me hubiera encantado leer...
Anyway, si te gustan los dramas griegos deberías leer, que aunque Ifigenia es corta, cumple con sus dosis griega aleccionadora.
Ambientada en preludio a la marcha contra Troya, los dioses le piden a Agamenón, el principal caudillo del enorme batallón griego, el sacrificio de su hija mayor, Ifigenia. Él acepta, porque así lo demandan los dioses y así el destino lo requiere si esperan llegar a Troya, pero luego se arrepiente. Pronto llega la ingenua Ifigenia, que engañada por los mensajeros que ha enviado su padre, llega a la costa donde los barcos han quedado barados sin viento, con la idea de que contraerá matrimonio con nada menos que Aquiles. Clitemnestra y ella se hayan extasiadas con la idea de que la familia una sus vínculos con lo más cercano a los dioses, pero pronto ese futuro idílico se ensombrece cuando Clitemnestra descubre la verdadera razón de su estadía.
Ifigenia en Aúlide es el drama de un padre que no sabe si servir a los dioses y a su patria, o a su deber como progenitor y una hija que ve como su destino no es nada de lo que una vez pensó.
—
No sabía que esta cosa existía: un antes a Troya. Me vergüenza decirlo, pero me avergüenza aún más que en mi investigación, sobre todo el misticismo que envuelve a la magnánima y bien conocida guerra de Troya, esta obra se me haya pasado por alto.
Más me siento completamente feliz de haberla leído en una edad donde puedo apreciar con más consciencia cada palabra e hilar conexiones con troya, en lugar de mis locos y obsesivos 13/14 donde quería que todo giraba en torno a Grecia y donde todo se sentía como el fin de mundo. Leer esta obra ha despertado esa llamita griega que hace mucho creía controlada, y que creo culminará en un incendio como el que debería haber en el partenon de atenas, porque no puedo leer esto y no leer troya, luego Ulises y después, para llorar aún más,: la canción de alquiles (que aunque no data de ese tiempo, es un trabajo bien logrado en cuanto a investigación y creación)
Aún después de toda esta perorata, tiene 4 estrellas porque aunque me guste mucho lo relacionado con grecia, aquí, la postura de Ifigenia (deus ex machina) ante su destino me parece algo imposible de aceptar, ignorar o aplaudir. No me gusta. Posiblemente debería haber un "poquito" más desarrollo para que Ifigenia logré desaferrarse¿? A la vida y aceptar su destino; eso es algo que definitivamente alargaria más la obra, pero que me hubiera encantado leer...
Anyway, si te gustan los dramas griegos deberías leer, que aunque Ifigenia es corta, cumple con sus dosis griega aleccionadora.
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
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.
j_odenbreit's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dolorsitamet's review
4.0
Hm. This does not seem like a typical greek tragedy much atoll, does it. the action needing punishment is realized right away; the recognition is at the very beginning. The chorus alternates with the characters themselves singing. Despite the early recognition, nobody in the play can stop it; the 'villain' is fate and the mob. Certainly curious. it was well done, and nothing atoll what I expected, despite knowing the story. also odd how it is written with full knowledge of the trojan war ahead. i think this is the most unique play of the era i've read thus far.
also: that appendix bit that was probably not writ by Euripides does not count.
also: that appendix bit that was probably not writ by Euripides does not count.
jbfaith_04's review
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5