Medea and Other Plays - Penguin Classics

This volume contains four plays that showcase Euripides' fascination with characters who defy societal norms in ancient Greece. Each tragedy focuses on a protagonist who was once powerful but ultimately brought down by betrayal, jealousy, guilt, or hatred. Euripides was known for being the first playwright to portray suffering without attributing it to the gods, instead opting for characters who speak in relatable terms and face the consequences of their actions.

In "Medea," a scorned woman seeks revenge by committing a horrific act against her own children and former lover. "Hecabe" follows the tragic story of the former queen of Troy, who descends into madness as she grapples with the sacrifice of her daughter to Achilles. "Electra" features a young woman plotting to avenge her father's brutal death at the hands of her mother, while "Heracles" centers around the titular hero seeking retribution against a malevolent king responsible for his family's suffering.

Philip Vellacott's clear translation is complemented by an insightful introduction that delves into the literary landscape of Classical Athens and the juxtaposition between natural and civilized behavior. Penguin Classics, a renowned publisher of classic literature for over seventy years, offers readers a vast collection of over 1,700 titles spanning various genres and disciplines. Readers can rely on Penguin Classics to deliver authoritative texts with introductions, notes from esteemed scholars and contemporary authors, and exceptional translations by award-winning translators.

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