Benjamin Clawson’s Reviews > Great Books of the Western World > Status Update

Finished Medea, and I really liked it. She’s a strong character and really commands the stage. The drama felt more balanced than it usually is.

Onto Hippolytus.

Finished Rhesus and it was pretty meh. But if the translator did a good job then I think Euripedes style is way different than Aeschylus or Sophocles. I’m still determining whom I like better. We’ll see.

Medea is next, and even though I haven’t read it I’m really excited because she’s a badass witch.

Finished Philoctetes, and I liked it. It really sticked to questions about duty and glory; and I think it is one of the best examples of thematic development.

Also, Sophocles is finished! So onto Euripides.

Finished Trachiniae, I think it’s one of my favourite plays. There is just something so tasteful about Deineira’s love for Heracles. She admits he’s a terrible husband/father but still wants his admiration and affection. The latter third of the play was my least favourite simply because it had no Deineira, who easily steals the show.

Onwards to Philoctetes, which is the last of Sophocles’ plays.

Finished Electra, I really liked it. I felt that Sophocles was experimenting with form and I think it paid off. It’s set up was more satisfying than other greek tragedies.

Onto the Trachiniae.

Finished Ajax (I took a “brief” hiatus), it was ok. Although I did particularly like the themes in this one. It got especially juicy towards the middle.
Onto Electra (which, from my previous conceptions of her, I am very excited for.)

I really like Antigone. There was something strangely modern about it to me. That ends Sophocles’ Theban Plays, now to Ajax.

I have finished Oedipus at Colonus. I don’t really have any notes other than: it dragged.

Finished Oedipus the King. I think Aristotle is right to say it is the most exemplary. It may not be my favourite so far but it certainly is remarkable.

I have finished Prometheus Bound, and it is likely my favourite play by Aeschylus. There’s something about it that is so attractive and moody.

As for the Oresteia, I will skip over it and return before finishing the volumne. I had just read it not a month ago. So onwards to Sophocles!