Specimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and Sophocles: Play Guide and Free Edition
Specimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and Sophocles: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Specimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and Sophocles is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Sophocles (-496–-406); Aeschylus (-525–-456). The listed translation credits are Smith, Goldwin (1823–1910).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Specimens of Greek Tragedy" by Aeschylus and Sophocles is a collection of translated excerpts of ancient Greek plays that dates back to the late 19th century. The book serves as an insightful resource into the realm of Greek drama, exploring key themes such as fate, morality, and the dichotomy between human desire and divine intervention. Two of the most significant playwrights represented are Aeschylus, considered the father of tragedy, and Sophocles, who successfully advanced the genre with deeper character development and complex plots. The opening of the collection provides a comprehensive preface discussing the origins and evolution of Greek drama, emphasizing its beginnings associated with religious festivals honoring Dionysus. It highlights the dramatic structure and the use of chorus, along with detailed discussions of the plays' thematic essence and the societal context in which they were performed. From Prometheus's defiance against Zeus and the tragic demise of Agamemnon to the heart-wrenching narratives of familial duty and betrayal in Electra, the beginning of this compilation sets the stage for understanding the powerful emotional and philosophical undercurrents that defined Greek tragedy.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Specimens of Greek Tragedy — Aeschylus and Sophocles
- Author credits: Sophocles (-496–-406); Aeschylus (-525–-456)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Smith, Goldwin (1823–1910)
Catalogue subjects
- Greek drama (Tragedy) -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Classics of Literature
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
- Classical Antiquity
- Harvard Classics
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


