Philip Vellacott's verse translations convey the poetic eloquence of the original texts
One of the greatest playwrights of Ancient Greece, the works of Euripides (484-406 BC) were revolutionary in their depiction of tragic events caused by flawed humanity, and in their use of the gods as symbols of human nature. The three plays in this collection show his abilities as the sceptical questioner of his age. Alcestis, an early drama, tells the tale of a queen who offers her own life in exchange for that of her husband; cast as a tragedy, it contains passages of satire and comedy. The tragicomedy Iphigenia in Tauris melodramatically reunites the ill-fated children of Agamemnon, while the pure tragedy of Hippolytus shows the fatal impact of Phaedra's unreasoning passion for her chaste stepson. All three plays explore a deep gulf that separates man from woman, and all depict a world dominated by amoral forces beyond human control.
A Life More Compelling Than Fiction' was the slogan of the 1997 Academy Award-nominated documentary Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life. The film poster describes Ayn Rand as 'The most original, uncompromising and controversial writer/philosopher of the twentieth century.' Born and raised in the mysticism and collectivism of Russia, she escaped to America in 1926 and became a champion of reason and individualism. To learn more about the woman who wrote inspiring, best-selling novels and created a new philosophy, choose from the related subjects to learn more.
