Book Brief
140
Play • Fiction
Thebes • Mythic Ancient Greece
-416
Adult
16-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Heracles by Euripides, the hero Heracles returns from his labors to find his family threatened by the tyrant Lycus, whom he defeats. However, driven mad by the goddess Hera, he tragically kills his own wife and children. Devastated, Heracles considers suicide but is persuaded by his friend Theseus to continue living and seek redemption in Athens. The play contains graphic depictions of violence.
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Euripides’ Heracles examines heroism and madness with emotional depth and tragic intensity. Reviews laud its exploration of family and divine interference, commending the complex character of Heracles. Criticisms include moments of convoluted plot and heavy reliance on deus ex machina. Overall, it's praised for its emotional resonance and dramatic impact.
Who Should Read Heracles?
Readers who enjoy Heracles by Euripides are often fans of classical literature, Greek tragedies, and heroic tales. If you appreciate the complex themes and dramatic intensity found in works like Oedipus Rex by Sophocles or The Iliad by Homer, this play will likely captivate you.
140
Play • Fiction
Thebes • Mythic Ancient Greece
-416
Adult
16-18 years
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