Category Archives: Greek Tragedy

In this episode, we learn how Heracles dies. And how Nessus knew how to play the long game. Discussion Prompts What does this play tell us about loyalty? What do you think about the portrayal of Heracles in this play?  Is he what you expect from him? Is it important that the chorus is comprised ofContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XII: Sophocles’s Women of Trachis, or Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold”

In a special bonus episode, I talk with Brad Poer about his Antigone: Closure. He graciously shared these production photos so that you can get a better sense of the production we discuss in the episode. If you’re interested in learning more or producing your own version of Antigone: Closure, you can contact Brad viaContinue reading “BONUS Episode: Brad Poer’s Antigone: Closure”

This tightly written play leaves us with a lot to think about. I touch on a few points in the episode, but there’s a lot more that we can talk about, even more than in the prompts below. Discussion Prompts Creon states that Polyneices’s goal was spilling blood and selling the people of Thebes intoContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XI: Sophocles’s Antigone, or Antigone Doesn’t Care What You Think”

We start Sophocles today with what we believe is his oldest surviving play. Ajax is a pretty heavy story and deals with his death by suicide. Discussion Prompts: This play breaks from convention by including an on-stage death. Why do you think Ajax dies on stage? If you were directing this play today, how wouldContinue reading “Greek Tragedy X: Sophocles’s Ajax, or When Good Heroes Go Bad”

I had completely forgotten I’d read Prometheus Bound until I went to reread it. After all, there isn’t much drama in this play. Nothing in particular happens. But it is an incredible source for Greek mythology. I look forward to your thoughts on this play. Discussion Prompts Who is your favorite character? Why? If youContinue reading “Greek Tragedy IX: Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound, or He Didn’t Start the Fire”

We have reached the end of the Oresteia. In the discussion, feel free to add your thoughts about the Eumenides and the entire trilogy. Discussion Prompts So, now that you’ve read the entire Oresteia, what do you think?  What do you think about this play in particular, and what do you think about the trilogy asContinue reading “Greek Tragedy VIII: Aeschylus’s The Eumenides, or Law & Order: Athens”

This is the first play in the Oresteia trilogy. While we we consider the trilogy as a whole after we have read all three plays, the discussion at this point will focus solely on Agamemnon. Discussion Prompts What do you think of this play?   If you aren’t familiar with the story, what do you thinkContinue reading “Greek Tragedy VI: Aeschylus’s Agamemnon, or the Original Cell Block Tango”

In this episode we talk about final play in Aeschylus’s Oedipus trilogy, Seven Against Thebes. Discussion Prompts This play is not performed very often because of its place as three of three in the trilogy.  How would you handle this if you were to produce the play today?  How would you handle the ending? What do youContinue reading “Greek Tragedy V: Seven Against Thebes, Or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Or Seven Champions for Seven Gates for Seven Other Champions In which Everyone Dies. Or not Everyone, but, well, you know…”

In this episode we look at Aeschylus’s The Suppliants.  Not the one written by Euripides.  We’ll get to his later.  We’re still working our way through Aeschylus right now. Discussion Prompts What is your take on this play? How feminist is it?   How should it be treated and performed on the stage today? It’s difficultContinue reading “Greek Tragedy IV: The Suppliants, or the Pirates of Penzance, I Mean Argos”

In this episode, we go over the basic structure of a Greek tragedy. If you have questions, comments, thoughts, additional information (please cite!), please share in the comments.