Rhesus by Euripides (438)
The play revolves around the story of Thoas, king of Lemnos, and his daughter Chryseis, who has been abducted by Apollo. The plot centers on the conflict between Thoas and the Greeks, particularly Odysseus, over the return of Chryseis.
By Euripides · First published 438 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Historical · 11,968 words
First lines
Of unknown date, the play Rhesus takes place during the Trojan War, on the night when Odysseus and Diomedes steal into the Trojan camp, as previously recounted in Book 10 of Homer's Iliad. There has been much debate about the genuine authorship of this tragedy, which was originally understood to be by Euripides in the Hellenistic, Imperial and Byzantine periods, but by the seventeenth century the play's authenticity was challenged largely on stylistic grounds. However, modern scholars now agree with the classical authorities, ascribing the play to Euripides.
What this Textopian page supports
Rhesus is listed on Textopian as a play by Euripides, dated 438 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Euripides
- Date: 438 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Historical, Epic, War Literature
- Length: 11,968 words
- Structure: 1 section, 431 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Rhesus by Euripides
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Rhesus?
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Similar titles
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- Hippolytus by Euripides
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- Quem Deus Vult Perdere Prius Dementat by Lord Byron
- Prometheus by Lord Byron
- The Avenger by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Tragedy — The play explores themes of fate, honor, and the consequences of war, characteristic of tragic literature.
- Drama — The work is structured as a dramatic narrative with dialogue and action, typical of dramatic literature.
- Historical — Set during the Trojan War, it incorporates historical and mythological elements related to ancient Greek history.
- Epic — The narrative involves grand themes and heroic characters, reflecting the epic tradition of storytelling.
Tags
Tragedy · Ancient Greek Drama · Satire · Comedy · Philosophical · Existential · Absurdism · Critique of Society · Social Commentary · Politics · Morality Play · Greek Mythology