Elektra

Among the most celebrated plays of ancient Athens, Elektra is one of seven surviving dramas by the great Greek playwright, Sophocles, now available from Harper Perennial in a vivid and dynamic new translation by award-winning poet Robert Bagg.

Elektra masterfully explores the consequences of revenge--both for those who bear the brunt of violence and for those who become obsessed by hatred under its influence--as it focuses on the cycle of bloodshed that consumes a royal family. This is Sophocles, vibrant and alive, for a new generation.

How does a 2,500-year-old play about revenge speak to a new generation?

• Vibrant Modern Translation: Experience Sophocles' powerful language through the lens of award-winning poet Robert Bagg, in a version that is both faithful and dynamic for today's readers.
• A Classic Revenge Tragedy: Witness Elektra's all-consuming wait for her brother Orestes and their brutal plot to avenge their father's murder at the hands of their mother, Klytemnestra.
• The Curse of the House of Atreus: Delve into one of Greek mythology's most infamous family sagas, a story of matricide, justice, and a cycle of bloodshed passed down through generations.
• Complete with Scholarly Introduction: An extensive introduction provides invaluable context on the world of Greek theater, the life of Sophocles, and the enduring themes that make this play a cornerstone of Western literature.