Euripides Biography

Euripides was the bad boy of Ancient Greek tragedy, a rebellious “upstart” who rejected many of the formal structural elements of drama during his time. Significantly reducing the emphasis of the chorus in his plays, Euripides instead shifted the focus to the characters themselves. This less-rigid approach gave him the freedom to explore character psychology more deeply, which eventually allowed to create three-dimensional, rounded figures, especially women such as the tragic heroine of his play Medea. Though ahead of their time in golden age Athens, his plays have since been embraced by modern audiences. And despite the notable work of his contemporaries Aeschylus and Sophocles, it is Euripides who gets the credit for giving Greek tragedy—and ultimately all drama—a human face.

Facts and Trivia

  • Euripides is the author of The Cyclops, the only satyr play to survive in its entirety. Short, ribald, and comic, satyr plays were part of a tetralogy—a set of four plays that also included three tragedies.
  • Euripides was frequently lampooned by the comic playwright Aristophanes. Euripides figured prominently in Aristophanes’ The Frogs, in which he and Aeschylus are brought back from the dead to debate which of them was the better dramatist. Naturally, Aeschylus won.
  • Euripides’ works still appeal to even the avant-garde. His Alcestis was reimagined as a kind of performance art piece by theatrical experimenter Robert Wilson in 1986.
  • Of all of the tragedians who competed in the City Dionysia, a dramatic festival hosted in ancient Athens, Euripides won the fewest prizes.
  • Although Euripides was underappreciated by his contemporaries, history has been on his side. Of the three major Greek tragedians (Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides), the rebellious bad boy has had the largest number of complete plays to survive.

Biography

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

In the illustrious tapestry of Classical Greece, few figures stand as prominently as Euripides, a master of tragic playwriting during Athens' esteemed "Golden Age" of the 5th century B.C. This remarkable century encompassed an era of significant milestones: Pericles’ leadership, the construction of the Parthenon, and the philosophical insights of Anaxagoras, Protagoras, and Socrates. It witnessed the pivotal Battle of Salamis and the flourishing theatrical scene that included playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Aristophanes, all against the backdrop of the eventual decline of the Greek Empire after the Peloponnesian War.

Early Life and Background

Though various narratives of Euripides's life exist, certain facts are consistently acknowledged. Born in 484 B.C. on the island of Salamis, Euripides spent the bulk of his life in Athens. His upbringing was likely of a middle-class nature, indicated by the quality of his education and his personal library. His father, influenced by a prophecy promising his son numerous "crowns of victory," initially steered him towards athletics. However, Euripides's path diverged into painting and philosophy before he ultimately found his calling in the theater, debuting his first play trilogy in 455 B.C., shortly after the death of Aeschylus.

Innovator in Greek Tragedy

Standing as the third monumental Greek tragedian, Euripides carved his own path, distinguishing himself from his predecessors with unconventional approaches that stirred debate. His works were intellectually provocative, questioning societal norms around gender roles, the responsibilities of leadership, and even the divine order, mirroring the philosophical inquiries of his time. Influenced by the Sophists, who challenged the certainty of truth and morality, and Sophocles's analytical methods, Euripides embedded his own skeptical views on governance, religion, and human relationships within his narratives.

Revolutionary Playwriting Techniques

Breaking from established conventions, Euripides minimized the chorus’s role, which had traditionally been integral to Greek drama, limiting them to thematic commentary rather than central participation. Critics often took issue with his tendency to create fragmented plots that lacked continuous action and his use of prologues that disclosed too much, too soon. In resolving dramatic conflicts, he frequently employed the deus ex machina technique, bringing about abrupt conclusions by introducing a god-like figure to settle disputes, bypassing the story's natural progression.

Realism in Characterization

Arguably, Euripides's most significant contribution was his portrayal of characters imbued with psychological depth and realism. Characters such as Medea, Phaedra, and Electra were driven by intense desires and internal conflicts, distinguishing them from the archetypal figures of previous tragedies. While Aeschylus focused on the divine and Sophocles on heroic legends, Euripides brought the nuances of everyday human experiences to the forefront.

Legacy and Reception

Throughout his fifty-year career, Euripides penned up to ninety-two plays but earned only five victories at the prestigious Dionysian festivals. In contrast, his contemporary Sophocles, with over 120 plays, secured twenty-four wins. Euripides faced criticism and mockery during his lifetime, notably from comedic playwrights like Aristophanes, who poked fun at him in works such as The Frogs. Despite the initial derision, his reputation has only grown over the centuries. With eighteen of his tragedies and a fragment of a satyr play surviving today—compared to the mere seven works each of Aeschylus and Sophocles—Euripides's plays stand as enduring examples of classical tragedy. His innovative ideas and lifelike characters, once subjects of criticism, have cemented his status as a beloved and frequently performed ancient playwright.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Next

Critical Essays

Loading...