The Agamemnon of Æschylus by Robert Browning
Browning’s preface defends literal translation before the drama follows Agamemnon’s return to Argos after Troia’s capture. His captive Kassandra foretells their deaths, and Klutaimnestra kills both, citing Agamemnon’s sacrifice of her daughter Iphigeneia. Aigisthos claims revenge for Atreus’ slaughter of his brothers and threatens the opposing elders, who hope for Orestes’ return.
By Robert Browning · Genre: Tragedy, Translation, Dramatic Poetry · 22,565 words
First lines
May I be permitted to chat a little, by way of recreation, at the end of a somewhat toilsome and perhaps fruitless adventure?
Genres
- Tragedy — Agamemnon’s victorious homecoming ends in his murder and Kassandra’s death, followed by threats against the protesting elders.
- Translation — Browning explains his effort to preserve the Greek original’s phrasing, repeated words, and difficult constructions in English.
- Dramatic Poetry — Named speakers exchange verse dialogue, and a chorus recounts the expedition, the daughter’s sacrifice, and the household’s violence.
Tags
revenge · regicide · prophecy · human sacrifice · war homecoming · family feud
What this Textopian page supports
The Agamemnon of Æschylus is listed on Textopian as a play by Robert Browning, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Robert Browning
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Translation, Dramatic Poetry
- Length: 22,565 words
- Structure: 1 section, 248 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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