Heracles | Litsy

Heracles | Euripides

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"But at the peak of [Heracles's] good fortune, when all his cares seem to be at an end and the tyrant is slain, horror and madness ensue." So goes the preface to this tragedy by Euripidies, which I read in John Davie's translation. This of course made me think of that Denzel Washington quote about Will Smith post-slap: "At your highest moment, be careful, that‘s when the devil comes for you". In the world of Greek tragedies, god & devil are one.

batsy This is an intriguing play of contradictions involving hubris, success, faith & the role of the gods as the means of understanding why people behave the way they do. Heracles is legendary for his labours, but while cursed by Madness he kills his wife & children. It is said that Athens in the 5th-century had a theological revolution, & this play reflects that in its questions about self-determination & free will vs being the gods' playthings. 2y

batsy Sculpture: "Hercules (Heracles) and the Hydra", Paul Manship, 1964 2y

Suet624 I think I need a playbook to help me understand why people behave the way they do. 2y

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Graywacke Such a cool sculpture and beautiful little stone base. Also great post. @Suet624 - let me know what you find. 🙂 2y

sarahbarnes Man, what a great post. Humans, I tell you. 🙃 2y

Billypar Great review as always: I love that it draws a line between ancient Greek tragedy and the Will Smith slap 😀 Given all of the classic texts you've read by now, I feel I need to ask that newcomer question - are there works you would recommend starting with, or just favorites that any reader can tackle with Wikipedia for context? 2y

batsy @Suet624 Ahaha! Good luck and let me know if you find one 😆 2y

batsy @Graywacke Thank you! And isn't the sculpture just great? You feel like it's about to move. 2y

batsy @sarahbarnes Thank you! Humans...what even is going on 🥴 2y

batsy @Billypar Thanks! That Will Smith moment lives on ? I'm reading the plays chronologically based on this https://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-ancient-greek-plays-in.ht... which might be something if you're interested in a deep dive. If not I'd go for some from each: Aeschylus's The Oresteia, & Prometheus Bound is great as a "standalone"; Antigone & Elektra (especially in the Anne Carson translation) by Sophocles. 2y

batsy @Billypar By Euripides, maybe the Medea and the Bacchae? And then for the comedies, perhaps Lysistrata and The Clouds to see if Aristophanes is for you (I kinda love him but GR shows me that many don't 😆) 2y

vivastory @Billypar You might be interested in this recently pub. work

Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths

vivastory @billypar Here is an excerpt on LitHub:
https://lithub.com/is-clytemnestra-an-archetypically-bad-wife-or-a-heroically-av... 2y

Billypar @batsy @vivastory Thanks for all the recommendations: I will check them out! I think some readers come down hard on classic works after being forced to read them in school, but I have good memories of Thucydides' History of the Pelop War in a college course, even if the rest is a bit hazy. I'm interested in dipping my toe back in. 2y

vivastory @Billypar I binge read the Greek tragedies over the course of a summer about 10 years ago. Suba's posts have me recalling that experience & I am planning on revisiting my favorite works soon. 2y

Cathythoughts Powerful post 💫 2y

batsy @Cathythoughts 😘 2y

DivineDiana I had not heard Denzel Washington‘s quote. How appropriate! 2y

batsy @DivineDiana Isn't it! Felt so apt. 2y

chapter_fifty2017 Euripides such ancient texts stir the soul !! 2y

batsy @chapter_fifty2017 These texts certainly do! 2y

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