Ebook Greek Tragedy

His book does not pretend to be a summary of known facts relating to Greek Tragedy. Nor is it, except incidentally, an essay in critical apprecia tion. Its aim is to help modern readers to enjoy Greek plays. For that reason stress has been laid on ideas and conventions which are not likely to be at first sight obvious to an English reader. That is why more space is given to Aeschylus than to either of his successors. That is also the explanation of the brief allusion which is made to some of the greatest of Greek tragedies. The Oedipus Tyrannus, for instance, depends for its effect upon qualities which are apparent, even in translation, to all readers who care for poetry and drama. It may be added that this book will be of little use unless the reader will turn to the plays them selves, either in the original or at least in a translation. Finally, remarks which are made in regard to one play often apply with equal force to many others.