Prometheus Bound and Other Plays Paperback – January 1, 2010

Ok, missed these in college, but I think you have to read these, and quite frankly, they're a little better with some age on you. Prometheus Bound is more interesting after you have had a chance to watch people (perhaps yourself) let their ego run away with them and get them in horrible trouble. Otherwise, at 18-22 Prometheus is an unmittigated hero, and that's less interesting. As a bonus, Prometheus was used as a model for Milton's Satan, and that Satan is pretty much the coolest Devil. If the Fonz had a big brother, wouldn't you want to meet him? Fantastic lines in this one, and the translation is excellent. "Do you think I quake and cower before these upstart gods?" Use it in your next salary negotiation.The Suppliants is kind of a waste of time. It's obviously the introduction to the action, and not much to reflect on unless you know a woman in an unhappy marriage, and then you can supply them with the line, "I would rather meet my fate in a drawn noose/ Than give my flesh to a husband I abhor;/ Sooner let Death possess me!" That'll add zazz to any domestic argument.Seven Against Thebes is fantastic and serves as the end to the Oedipus trilogy if you want to read it that way. Lots of great slams on the boastful and praise to the quiet effective types. It's required reading.The Persians is great reading right now if you're not thrilled with the way America is headed under current leadership. It's about the most powerful empire in the world shattering its massive army in a war of folly. Superior wealth and technology (bridge of boats across the ocean) are squandered in the wastelands. It's from the point of view of the losers, and I can't help but think it's cautionary to the Greeks rather than celebratory. America should read it that way as well. It's eerily relevant. I read this passage this morning and it gave me the creeps:(Mother of Xerxes's premonition concerning the fall of the Persian empire)I saw an eagle fly for refuge to Apollo's hearth. I watched, speechless with terror; then a falcon came, and swooped with rushing wings, and with his talons clawed the eagle's head; it, unresisting, cowered there, offering itself to wounds.Not good for us, not good at all. In any case, just about every page has some piece of wisdom on it, and the translation here puts the the thought with the perfect words. If you're enjoying Shakespeare or KJV right now but want a different flavor, give Aeschylus a shot. He has a strong grasp on the mind of the king and the burden of leadership, more so than WS. There's also a sophisticated view of how real democracy lends strength to a society, in a way that resonates with an adult brain that has become jaded on jingoism.

I've always been a fan of Greek literature, and Prometheus Bound and Other Plays doesn't disappoint me. It is a demonstration of Greek beliefs; the portrayal of a wise god doomed for his intentions to help humanity, the Danaids and their quest to find freedom from their cousins, a conflict between brothers announced by their father, and the failed Persian expedition in Greece. Aeschylus uses his plays almost as if they were fables, leading to reflection, although more complex and harder to interpret. These plays, like many others of Classical Greece, are examples of the birth of theater as a form of expression; a new way to criticize, opine, protest, etc. Theater is one of the great gifts we have inherited from the Ancient Greeks, and with this book we are exposed to that gift.

It's hard to give an overall review on this, as it's a collection of plays from antiquity where most of the surrounding context is lost. Aeschylus' plays were usually in trilogies and with only one part of a trilogy intact, it makes it hard to appreciate certain aspects of these plays. You can tell that Aeschylus tried to push the envelope, and come up with new technique for what was a relatively new medium at the time. From reading the introduction by the translator Philip Velacott, I get the strong sense that these are just glimpses into what were very moving trilogies.Prometheus Bound is an introduction to a trilogy of plays featuring the titular Prometheus first being chained to a rock, then explaining to various passersby his story. The initial violence of the opening scene is jarring, but the majority of the play itself is very subdued, with Prometheus telling of his crimes against Zeus but that he has no regrets of bringing humanity it's greatest gift and bears his punishment gladly. This sacrifice is a pretty common thread across Western myths, but it shines very powerfully here.The Supplicants basically sets the stage for a deeper, more moving trilogy where the bulk of the story is lost. Because of this, the play suffers drastically, as it just provides the context for something with a lot more action. I feel like this was very uninteresting and plodded along too slowly to be very memorable - but then again, it's just a teaser for the murderous undertaking to follow.Seven Against Thebes was the real standout gem for me. Since it's the last part and apex of a trilogy rife with murder and struggle, it doesn't really hold back. In this story the citadel of Cadmea is under attack by seven bloodthirsty warriors. It's up the heroic defenders to stave them off. Although all the action happens off-stage, things end in a bloody mess, with the two sons of Oedipus killing each other. As with most Greek plays the inclusion of the chorus bogs down a lot of the action, but you can tell that Aeschylus is really trying out new techniques here, with the chorus actually interacting with the characters more than the other plays. I really liked the descriptions of the attackers and quick follow up of the defenders, I'd love seeing this play on stage.As for The Persians, not much of note actually happens. It's basically a retelling of the loss of the battle of Salamis being relayed to the Persians back home. It's interesting enough, and clearly meant as more of a comedy which points out the hubris in Xerxes' battle strategies, but I feel like this was the weakest of the bunch and lost interest quickly. As a play, I'm sure it was very entertaining with the funny costumes and constantly poking fun at the Persians, but it's a bit flat and dry to just read through here.One quick note - Velacott's translation really feels fresh and interesting, and his introductions and various comments throughout really help build a pretty deep understanding of the context and untranslatable humor behind the scenes. As is usually the case with ancient works, the translation is very key to the appreciation of the style, and here the wit of the original shines through.

Aeschylus is the first of the great writers of ancient tragedy in Athens. These are good translations.

Greek tragedy in its prime.

Harken thee unto the mighty boom! The lighting god sends utter doom! In deepest sorrow, fearsome darkness and agony unending, thus wilt thou suffer Zeus’ tyranny unbending!

I bought this book because my course demanded it, but I've actually found myself really enjoying the content! The layout is clear and easy to follow. There is a short introduction and a short bank of notes at the back. Being a Penguin product, the book itself is very good quality and arrived on time and in great condition. This really is the bare text though- if you want additional critical reading, context or commentary you might need other books as well.

Maybe not the most mainstream of Aeschylus' plays (or the most lengthy) but each of these are well worth a read. The translation is pukka and if Aeschylus isn't nodding up in Olympus then I'm David Cameron.

The translations of Greek drama I have read so far (very few admittedly) by Philip Vellacott are excellent- in terms of how accurate I can't say either way (I don't speak Greek) but in terms of beauty of the language I have enjoyed it very much.

the dawn of civilised time is evoked