38 pages • 1 hour read
AeschylusThe Libation Bearers
Fiction | Play | AdultA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Libation Bearers by Aeschylus, produced in 458 BCE, continues the Oresteia trilogy by depicting Orestes avenging his father Agamemnon's murder by killing his mother Clytaemestra. Exiled by Clytaemestra and her lover Aegisthus, Orestes returns, secretly plots with his sister Electra, and ultimately commits matricide to fulfill his duty as commanded by the god Apollo.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Libation Bearers by Aeschylus receives praise for its intense portrayal of revenge and the complexities of familial duty. Critics commend the strong character development and rich emotional appeal. However, some note the dense language and historical context can be challenging for modern readers. Overall, it remains a powerful and enduring work in Greek tragedy.
Who Should Read The Libation Bearers?
Readers who appreciate complex family dynamics, themes of revenge and justice, and classical Greek literature will enjoy Aeschylus's The Libation Bearers. Fans of Sophocles's Antigone and Euripides's Medea will find similar intrigue and depth in this work.