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Four Tragedies and Octavia
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See moreDramas by the classical playwright and philosopher are accompanied by a modern work to demonstrate the Roman's impact on the development of the tragedy.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
A selection of Seneca's most powerful and macabre plays.
Based on the legends used in Greek drama, Seneca's plays are notable for the exuberant ruthlessness with which disastrous events are foretold and then pursued to their tragic and often bloodthirsty ends.
Thyestes depicts the menace of an ancestral curse hanging over two feuding brothers, while Phaedra portrays a woman tormented by fatal passion for her stepson. In The Trojan Women, the widowed Hecuba and Andromache await their fates at the hands of the conquering Greeks, and Oedipus follows the downfall of the royal House of Thebes.
Octavia is a grim commentary on Nero's tyrannical rule and the execution of his wife, with Seneca himself appearing as an ineffective counsellor attempting to curb the atrocities of the emperor.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Four Tragedies and Octavia by Seneca receives praise for its emotive exploration of human nature and rich philosophical depth. Critics appreciate Seneca's use of vivid language and his ability to convey intense psychological conflicts. While some readers find the style dense, many value the insights into both ancient Roman society and timeless human struggles.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780140441741
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 24 February 2005
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Classics
Contributors:
- Translated by E. Watling
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 14.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 225g
Pages: 320
About the Author
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c.4BC - AD65) was born in Cordoba, Spain, where he was brought up studying the traditional virtues of republican Roman life. He became a teacher of rhetoric but attracted attention for his incisive style of writing. Closely linked to Nero, his death was ordered by the emperor in AD65. Seneca committed suicide. E.F. Watling had translated many Ancient Classics for Penguin, including plays of Sophocles and Plautus. He died in 1990.
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