Electra (Euripides)

About “Electra (Euripides)”

The Greek Tragedy in New Translations series aims to bring the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides to modern readers through translations that capture the poetic essence of the original Greek. Each volume, under the general editorship of Herbert Golder and the late William Arrowsmith, includes a critical introduction, commentary, stage directions, and a glossary. The 1994 English translation of Euripides' Electra recreates the emotional intensity of the original. The play follows Electra, who longs to avenge her father's murder. When her brother Orestes returns, she manipulates him into killing their mother's husband and then their mother. Only after these acts do they recognize the moral darkness of their actions. Euripides blends suspense and horror with humor and realistic dialogue, reflecting the complexities of human behavior.