THE ORESTEIA BY AESCHYLUS (REMOTE)

This course will comprise a close reading and discussion of Aeschylus’ trilogy the Oresteia (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides). Aeschylus, known as the father of Greek tragedy, wrote the Oresteia, our only extant ancient Greek trilogy, in an effort to offer an explanation of how a system of blood feud and revenge needed to be and was replaced by a system of law. His topic is sweepingly broad and his characters larger than life.

Read: Aeschylus: The Oresteia, translated by Robert Fagles (As this translation will be heavily referenced during class, students are urged not to purchase a different one)