
THE - ELECTRA - OF - EURIPIDES - TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH RHYMING VERSE WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES BY - GILBERT MURRAY, LL.D., D.LITT. - REGIUS PROFESSOR OF GREEK IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD - FORTY-SECOND THOUSAND
PERFORMED AT THE COURT THEATRE, LONDON IN 1907
ELECTRA - CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY
ELECTRA
CHORUS.
CHORUS.
ELECTRA.
ORESTES.
NOTES TO THE ELECTRA
I.
A haunting tale of blood‑feud and impossible duty unfolds in this ancient Greek tragedy, where the murdered king’s children grapple with the weight of vengeance. Orestes returns home under a veil of secrecy, while his sister Electra clings to memories of their father’s death, each haunted by the shadow of their mother’s betrayal. The first act sets a stark stage of familial tension, moral conflict and the looming presence of the gods, inviting listeners into a world where justice and horror intertwine.
Presented in a faithful English rhyming‑verse translation, the language flows with the rhythm of the original chorus while remaining clear enough for modern ears. Accompanying explanatory notes illuminate obscure references, cultural nuances and the playwright’s daring psychological insight, helping listeners follow the complex motivations at play. The result is a vibrant, accessible listening experience that retains the power of Euripides’ original poetry.
Beyond the drama’s ancient setting, the work resonates with timeless questions about duty, guilt and the cost of retribution. Its compact, tightly woven structure makes it an engaging introduction to classical tragedy, inviting reflection on how mythic stories still echo contemporary struggles.
Full title
The Electra of Euripides Translated into English rhyming verse
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (106K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-12-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
d. -406
A daring voice of classical Athens, this tragedian reshaped Greek drama by giving mythic stories sharper emotion, psychological depth, and unforgettable characters. His plays still feel alive because they focus so intensely on human choices, suffering, and conflict.
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