This was a great play! The action was binding, the pace structured and balanced, and the climax and language among some of the best that I've seen for ancient Greek drama. Overall, it is definitely well worth reading for anyone interested in classics, ancient literature, Greek literature, or drama. You will surely not be disappointed!

4.5 stars! ( )

I read the Morshead translation on my Kindle, as part of "The House of Atreus" which is really The Oresteia with a different title as far as I can tell... I found this translation easier to understand than the Lattimore translation I used in reading the previous play in this trilogy, Agamemnon, but still challenging in places.

However, I will strongly recommend the (British) National Theater production which is available on YouTube. Tony Harrison's translation is easier for the modern ear, and the production done in the ancient Greek style (masks, etc.) is powerful. Of course, it is best appreciated if you start with the first play of the trilogy, but if you are familiar with the story, this play stands on its own. ( )

In this second part of the trilogy that began with Agamemnon, we see the continued tragedies that affect the house of Atreus. Orestes returns and carries out revenge on his mother and uncle. The issues dealt with include that conflicting part of the Greek religion -- carrying out justice for a family member but also killing a family member. Orestes hears from the chorus a dream had by his mother of her nursing a snake (dragon) that drinks all of her curdled blood. He returns as a stranger under the guise of announcing his own death. He slays Aegisthus immediately and his own mother after arguing the matter with her. At the end, he knows that the same curse of the family will now come after him. Biographical notes: Aeschylus lived from 525 to 456 BC. Like Socrates and other of his contemporaries, he fought at Marathon. He is considered the founder of Greek tragedy and won many competitions at these regular events. This trilogy is the only full trilogy remaining. ( )