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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I loved Anne Carson's translation of these plays! The language was both beautiful and accessible!
PYLADES. I’ll take care of you.
ORESTES. It’s rotten work.
PYLADES. Not to me. Not if it’s you.
ORESTES. It’s rotten work.
PYLADES. Not to me. Not if it’s you.
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Agamemnon 3/5 stars
Elektra 4.5/5 stars
Orestes 5/5 stars
Elektra 4.5/5 stars
Orestes 5/5 stars
i am so so happy i was able to get ahold of anne carson’s translations of these plays...the way it’s done is absolutely gorgeous and heart-wrenching and poetic. i adored this
It was very readable and I liked that. The translation was poetic and nice to read and I'm glad I did but I feel like I can't really say much more. Like, I can't exactly analyze the characters the way I would for a modern book. I picked this up because I'm gay and I wanted to read "not to me. not if it's you" in its original context and also learn more about Iliad-related myth, and that's what it delivered, and I had a good time.
The only greek play I read before this one was Antigone so im new to the world of greek tragedy but let me tell you this .. had everything ! the greeks really said let's give them love ! betrayal ! murder ! tenderness ! all wrapped up in beautiful writing & depth like . the drama of it all !! I cant really comment on Carsons translation because I have nothing to compare it to but most everything she does is great in my opinion.
There is so much diversity in this work that a single excerpt could never offer a clear picture of what is really in store but I have to leave you with these two.
The first from the beginning of Agamemnon, a testament to the beauty of the writing.
"Old age goes its way withered, on three legs,
weak as a child or a dream dayvisible,
wavering."
And the second from a bit in Elektra where she absolutely BODIED her own mother like she really didn't have to do her like that.
"ELEKTRA [to her mother] : Ah now there you mistake me.
Shame I do feel.
And I know there is something all wrong about me—
believe me. Sometimes I shock myself.
But there is a reason: you.
You never let up this one same pressure of hatred on my life:
I am the shape you made me.
Filth teaches filth."
4.5 stars (the ending was a little too neat, pour moi). A scintillating read, overall.
There is so much diversity in this work that a single excerpt could never offer a clear picture of what is really in store but I have to leave you with these two.
The first from the beginning of Agamemnon, a testament to the beauty of the writing.
"Old age goes its way withered, on three legs,
weak as a child or a dream dayvisible,
wavering."
And the second from a bit in Elektra where she absolutely BODIED her own mother like she really didn't have to do her like that.
"ELEKTRA [to her mother] : Ah now there you mistake me.
Shame I do feel.
And I know there is something all wrong about me—
believe me. Sometimes I shock myself.
But there is a reason: you.
You never let up this one same pressure of hatred on my life:
I am the shape you made me.
Filth teaches filth."
4.5 stars (the ending was a little too neat, pour moi). A scintillating read, overall.
I haven't read much Greek tragedy in the play format, but this was a good read! Anne Carson translates in a very easy to understand way. The story of Argos is indeed tragic, and these plays do deliver, but I also couldn't help taking delight in the melodrama. The casual and flippant way the characters speak about death and the speed at which they are willing to resort to murder (clearly always the most reasonable decision!) made me chuckle. But hey, this is Ancient Greece - that's precisely what you sign up for, and it's a fun ride. P.S: Shout out to Orestes and Pylades for the inimitable "Not to me. Not if it's you." line.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes