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Document Details : Title: Euripides Subtitle: Our Contemporary Humanist Author(s): ETMAN, Ahmed Journal: Pharos Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Date: 2009-2010 Pages: 165-173 DOI: 10.2143/PHA.17.1.2136899 Abstract : The present paper aims to confirm the traditional view that Euripides was favoured above Sophocles and Aeschylus by successive generations. This view is based on several arguments. Firstly, the extant tragedies of Euripides outnumber those of the other two tragedians together. Secondly, Euripides’ influence on the Roman tragedians — Seneca in particular — is pronounced and impressive. Consequently, the European dramatic neo-classic works, especially in France, were based more on the revival of Euripides (and Seneca) than on any other ancient tragedian. Racine’s Phèdre, the masterpiece of French Neo-Classicism, is imbued with the spirit of Euripides (and Seneca). In the 20th century, T.S. Eliot, Ted Hughes, Yiannis Ritsos and Marguerite Yourcenar were inspired by Euripides, especially by his unique tragicomedy Alcestis and his tragedies about the Trojan War, such as Troades and Helen. It is therefore apt to pose the question: what are the Euripidean characteristics that continue to make him relevant to successive human generations? The present paper tentatively suggests some answers. |
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