The Greek Plays: Sixteen Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides (Modern Library Classics)

I like this solid anthology of and introduction to Athenian tragedy. I know that the literary qualities were much reduced in translation, but I could tell how beautiful the originals might be from the English versions. I welcomed the deep ideas suggested by the plays but appreciated the authors of the translations and closing essays pointing out what the deep ideas were not present, i.e., Antigone is not a proto-libertarian, Medea was not jealous of a younger woman but furious at Jason’s breaking of his word. I like that the plays were still great entertainment: the suspense in Agamemnon, Oedipus, and Medea; the happy endings in Alcestis and Helen; the shocking, liberating blasphemy of Prometheus; the strong women; the gory violence; show more the angry speeches. show less

This is a tremendous collection of sixteen of the most famous and vital Greek plays all of them in new translations, with comprehensive introductions and excellent critical apparatus. But its success stands and falls on the quality (so for me, clarity, dramatic sense and momentum) of the translations. All are strong and this is especially notable given that as the editor, Mary Leftowitz, explains, the translators were given a clear direction to stick to the Greek line count and placement and to use iambic pentameters. Sarah Ruden's translation of the Oresteia is the pick for me and I'd love to see this version performed. But as I say all are really good.
There's more. The ebook version is a model of its kind with well placed footnotes show more which work as they should and proper verse layouts with line numbering done properly. This is currently retailing on Amazon UK for £2.99, an astonishing bargain. show less

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