This first volume in a three-part set gathers some of Euripides' most powerful and controversial plays. He was the rebel of Ancient Greek theatre, often criticized in his own time for putting flawed, complex characters—especially women—center stage.

The Story

You won't find straightforward tales of victory here. In Medea, a foreign princess helps her husband Jason secure a legendary treasure, only to be abandoned by him for a politically advantageous marriage. Her revenge is legendary and horrifying. In The Trojan Women, we witness the aftermath of the Trojan War from the perspective of the captured queens and princesses, portraying war not as glory but as profound human suffering. Other plays in this volume, like Hippolytus, explore forbidden desire and the devastating consequences of broken oaths.

Why You Should Read It

Euripides gets people. His characters aren't marble statues; they're flesh and blood, driven by jealousy, despair, love, and a desperate will to live. Reading him, you're constantly asking, "What would I do?" His plays force us to sit with moral ambiguity. The 'villains' often have painfully relatable motives, and the 'heroes' can be selfish or weak. It’s this psychological realism, written over 2,400 years ago, that makes his work so enduring and gripping.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who thinks classics are stuffy or remote. If you love complex characters, moral dilemmas, and stories that explore the darker sides of love, family, and power, Euripides is your playwright. This volume is a fantastic starting point—it’s raw, emotional, and proves that the human heart hasn't changed all that much.