The Complete Tragedies, Volume 2: Oedipus, Hercules Mad, Hercules on Oeta, Thyestes, Agamemnon

by Seneca, Shadi Bartsch (Translator/Editor), Susanna Morton Braund (Translator)

Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, the Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca offers authoritative, modern English translations of the writings of the Stoic philosopher and playwright (4 BCE–65 CE). The two volumes of The Complete Tragedies presents all of his dramas, expertly rendered by preeminent scholars and translators.

The first volume contains Medea, The Phoenician Women, Phaedra, The Trojan Women, and Octavia, the last of which was written in emulation of Senecan tragedies and serves as a unique example of political tragedy. This second volume includes Oedipus, Hercules Mad, Hercules on Oeta, Thyestes, and Agamemnon. High standards of accuracy, clarity, and style are maintained throughout the translations, which render Seneca into verse with as close a correspondence, line for line, to the original as possible, and with special attention paid to meter and overall flow. In addition, each tragedy is prefaced by an original translator’s introduction offering reflections on the work’s context and meaning. Notes are provided for the reader unfamiliar with the culture and history of classical antiquity. Accordingly, The Complete Tragedies will be of use to a general audience and professionals alike, from the Latinless student to scholars and instructors of comparative literature, classics, philosophy, drama, and more.

Genres: Classics, Ancient History, Poetry, Plays, Drama

320 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2017

About the author

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca or Seneca the Younger); ca. 4 BC – 65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero, who later forced him to commit suicide for alleged complicity in the Pisonian conspiracy to have him assassinated.

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hercules Mad **** – This is now the third translation of Seneca’s play, aka Hercules Furens. You can see my general thoughts on Seneca and this particular play here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and here https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

On the various versions, I like the Dana Gioia version (which he called The Madness of Hercules) the best. Gioia is one of the better poets alive today and he uses the language magnificently. It is a great read. I can’t say, though, how true to the original he is. (The entire Complete Roman Drama in Translation series suffers from an attempt to “modernize” the plays and provide “playable” versions.)

The Complete Tragedies version (from Chicago University Press) translated by David Konstan is also very good, and had the added benefit of very good notes. He claims a more literal translation, but it is still very good. (Though the title is sort of off-putting.) The entire Chicago University Press set it very good, and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to read Seneca. (08/15)

Agamemnon **** -- As often noted, this play is probably mistitled. Agamemnon barely makes an appearance. Instead it should be called Clytemnestra.

Once you accept that this is not intended to be comparable in form or intent to Aeschylus or the Elizabethans, it is an intriguing and enjoyable work. It’s presentation of Agamemnon’s murder as revenge for Troy’s destruction is very powerful. This translation is also very good. (05/20)

[Michael Landes]

Like the first, good scholarship, meh editing, and the plays are a real mix - Oedipus, Thyestes and Agamemnon are knock-outs, while the two Hercules plays needed a good editor. But that's not a knock - a real win that these editions show off Seneca warts and all, not just the best parts.