Elektra A New Translation
Elektra A New Translation by Sophocles, published by HarperCollins on August 7, 2012, presents a fresh interpretation of this classic tragedy. This edition, consisting of 160 pages, offers a dynamic translation that captures the intense themes of hatred, revenge, and murder as Orestes returns to confront his mother, Klytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus, for the murder of his father, Agamemnon. Elektra, awaiting her brother’s return, grapples with her own bitterness and contempt, setting the stage for a harrowing tale of familial conflict.
Readers will find a portrayal of the complex emotions surrounding vengeance and its consequences, as Elektra assists Orestes and Pylades in executing their plan. The translation by Robert Bagg is noted for its modern idiom while remaining true to the original text, making this edition accessible to contemporary audiences. This work delves into the destructive cycle of revenge that not only impacts the lives of their enemies but also leaves lasting scars on the avengers themselves, reflecting the timeless nature of Sophocles’ drama.
Official synopsis Publisher
A dynamic and necessary new translation of Sophocles’ chilling tragedy of hatred, revenge, and murder
Orestes, the son of King Agamemnon, returns to his homeland to take revenge on his mother, Klytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus, for killing his father in cold blood. Elektra has long awaited her brother’s return, bitter and contemptuous of their mother’s moral justification for slaughtering Agamemnon, who had sacrificed the life of another daughter, Iphigenia, so the Greek army could sail to Troy. Elektra helps Orestes and his friend Pylades execute an ingenious plan, continuing a bloody cycle that destroys the lives of their enemies and will forever haunt their own.
Robert Bagg’s new translation, modern in idiom while faithful to the original, conveys the complex range of emotion experienced by grieving family members who expect vengeance to set them free. This is Sophocles for a new generation.
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