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

Finished Helen

I think it is my favourite play so far. The opening lines will always stick in my head. Such a great distillation of trauma; not just of a single woman but how that trauma can affect an entire population/people. It dragged a bit towards the end but it was absolutely incredible.

Andromache is next.

Finished Ion

It was pretty funny. But still kind of mid.

Helen, which, knowing Euripedes, should be quite a doozy.

Finished The Trojan Women

“*Dost weep, my babe? dost know thy hapless fate? Why clutch me with thy hands and to my garment cling?*”

Amazing play. Possibly- required reading for the human race. Despite being so old and despite reading it not as the athenian audience would have, I think it makes a great anti-genocide statement. Which, sadly and apparently, people need nowadays.

Ion is next.

I did not like The Suppliants

It dragged on and was interesting but got a little “lost-in-the-sauce” towards the end. Had some amazing lines though.

The Trojan Women is next.

The Heracleidae was alright.

I was very entertained reading it, but did not like it very much. I think Euripides is the biggest misogynist so far. All the female characters, which actually have interesting facets, are pushed to the side: Macaria. Also, I think this is the most blatant piece of Athens propaganda I have yet seen.

Onto The Suppliants.

Finished Alcestis

I liked some parts and were baffled at others. It’s very different from other plays, likely because it was supposed to take the place of a satire which is why it ends on a happy note. It has some very touching moments. I do not know if I like it or not.

Heracleidæ is next.

I have finished Hippolytus.

I think it's another instance of the tragedians focusing on the wrong people. Phaedra is a much more interesting character then Hippolytus. (I will likely read Racine's version sometime soon to see how that fares.) But the ending scene is touching.

Alcestis is next (and I am quite excited).

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.