Herakles (Greek Tragedy in New Translations)

More Greek tragedy, this one involving the feud between Hera and Hercules. After fulfilling his labors, Herakles arrives home to find his father, wife, and children homeless. He decides to take matters in his own hands by taking back his city from the usurpers who claimed it for their own. Since this is Greek tragedy, it cannot possibly turn out well for Herakles, or anyone else. Hera is still steamed, and sends the goddess Madness to do her dirty work. This translation has been somewhat modernized, but it was done in a way that doesn't sound as abrasive as some; there are phrases that don't sound particularly Greek to me, but neither do they sound like a millennial. The biggest clunker was the constant "I could care less", which is, of show more course, the exact opposite of the meaning of the phrase in context, which really was "I couldn't care less". Overall, readable, but you have to be careful not to get lost in the long expository speeches. show less

This one is just so inaccessible to modern audiences that it really just is strange and not very interesting.

Note: Actually read Anne Carson's translation from Grief Lessons (2006).