Aeschylus

General view of sanctuary of Demeter and Kore and the Telesterion (Initiation Hall), center for the Eleusinian Mysteries, Eleusis (8191841684)

File:Death of Aeschylus in Florentine Picture Chronicle.jpg

Death of Aeschylus in Florentine Picture Chronicle

Athen Theatre of Dionysus BW 2017-10-09 14-29-49

Tragediae septem.

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Aeschylus (c. 525/524 – c. 456/455 BC) was an ancient Greek tragedian, and is often described as the father of tragedy. According to Aristotle, he expanded the number of characters in plays to allow for conflict among them; previously, characters interacted only with the chorus. Aeschylus is best known for his trilogy the Oresteia, which is the only surviving trilogy of ancient Greek tragedy. The trilogy consists of "Agamemnon", "The Libation Bearers", and "The Eumenides". His work laid the foundation for the dramatic arts in Western culture, influencing not only the development of Greek drama but also the evolution of modern theatre.

Life

Little is known about the life of Aeschylus. He was born in Eleusis, a small town near Athens, and belonged to a noble family. He lived during a time of political and social change in Athens, which influenced his work. Aeschylus participated in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) and possibly also in the Battle of Salamis (480 BC), experiences that may have inspired some of his plays. He died in Gela, a Greek colony in Sicily.

Work

Aeschylus wrote approximately 70 to 90 plays, but only seven have survived to the present day. These plays are notable for their grandiose characters, complex themes, and the introduction of the second actor, significantly enhancing the dramatic dialogue. Aeschylus's contribution to the arts was recognized in his own time, and he won the prestigious Dionysia festival competition at least 13 times.

His surviving works include:

• The Persians (472 BC)
• Seven Against Thebes (467 BC)
• The Suppliants (463 BC)
• The Oresteia Trilogy (458 BC):

 * Agamemnon
 * The Libation Bearers
 * The Eumenides

Themes and Innovations

Aeschylus's plays often deal with themes of justice, the nature of divine will, and the destiny of humanity. His work is characterized by a deep moral and religious seriousness, and he frequently explored the relationship between humans and the gods. Aeschylus is credited with introducing the concept of the trilogy, a set of three plays connected by theme, myth, and characters, which allowed for the development of complex narratives and characters.

One of his major innovations was the introduction of a second actor, which made the development of dramatic dialogue possible. Before Aeschylus, Greek drama consisted mainly of the chorus and one actor. By adding a second actor, Aeschylus allowed for more dynamic interactions and conflicts between characters, laying the groundwork for all future Western drama.

Legacy

Aeschylus's influence on the development of tragedy and the theatre is immense. His innovations in plot, character development, and the use of spectacle created a new dramatic form that influenced not only his contemporaries and successors, such as Sophocles and Euripides, but also the entire course of Western literature. The themes and questions raised in his plays, particularly those concerning divine justice and human responsibility, continue to resonate in contemporary theatre and literature.

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