"Four Plays" by Aeschylus is a collection that typically includes some of the most significant works by this ancient Greek playwright, who is often referred to as the father of tragedy. Aeschylus' plays are known for their profound exploration of justice, power, and the divine. While different collections might include various selections, four of his most famous plays are:
"Agamemnon": The first play in the Oresteia trilogy, it tells the story of King Agamemnon's return home from the Trojan War and his subsequent murder by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. Themes of betrayal, vengeance, and fate are central to the narrative.
"The Libation Bearers" (Choephori): The second play in the Oresteia trilogy, it follows the children of Agamemnon, Orestes and Electra, as they seek revenge for their father's murder. The play deals with the cycles of vengeance and the moral complexities of retribution.
"The Eumenides": The concluding play of the Oresteia trilogy, it depicts the trial of Orestes for the murder of his mother, Clytemnestra. This play introduces the themes of justice and the transition from personal vendetta to a system of legal trial and societal order.
"Prometheus Bound": This play tells the story of the Titan Prometheus, who defies Zeus by giving fire to humanity and is punished by being chained to a rock. It explores themes of defiance, suffering, and the conflict between power and justice.
Aeschylus' plays are renowned for their dramatic intensity, complex characters, and exploration of profound ethical and philosophical questions, making them essential works in the study of ancient Greek drama.
