Rank them and their works and explain your reasoning
>>24802356Aeschylus > Sophocles > Euripides>With the Greeks the perfect work of art, the Drama, was the abstract and epitome of all that was expressible in the Grecian nature. It was the nation itself in intimate connection with its own history that stood mirrored in its art−work, that communed with itself and, within the span of a few hours, feasted its eyes with its own noblest essence. All division of this enjoyment, all scattering of the forces concentred on one point, all diversion of the elements into separate channels, must needs have been as hurtful to this unique and noble Art−work as to the like−formed State itself; and thus it could only mature, but never change its nature. Thus Art was conservative, just as the noblest sons of this epoch of the Grecian State were themselves conservative. Æschylus is the very type of this conservatism, and his loftiest work of conservative art is the "Oresteia," with which he stands alike opposed as poet to the youthful Sophocles, as statesman to the revolutionary Pericles. The victory of Sophocles, like that of Pericles, was fully in the spirit of the advancing development of mankind; but the deposition of Æschylus was the first downward step from the height of Grecian Tragedy, the first beginning of the dissolution of Athenian Polity.>In this didactic probity, but artistic disingenuousness, there lies the downfall of Greek Tragedy; for the Folk soon noticed that it did not want instinctively to move their Feeling, but arbitrarily to rule their Understanding. Euripides had to shed blood beneath the lash of Aristophaneian ridicule, for this open blurting of the lie.
I definitely have to read more Greek Tragedy (I'll try to by 2026) but I'll rank what I've read based on personal preference:1: Oresteia by Aeschylus Rightfully acknowledged as the pinnacle of Greek Tragedy. The ending courtroom scene is one of the most interesting, weird, and entrancing in all of theatre.2: Antigone by SophoclesProbably the greatest stand-alone play. Its concrete articulation of the conflict between divine and worldly law is perfectly done and inestimably influential.3: The Bacchae by EuripidesIt gets a lot of criticism from purists but it's such an interesting commentary on theatre itself through bringing Dionysus himself (the force behind all performance) to the forefront. Despite Nietzsche's criticism, I think The Birth of Tragedy is just doing in the abstract what Euripides did in the concrete. 4: Oedipus RexIt feels wrong putting it this low. It's certainly great but I've never connected to it the way others have. I'll probably have to reread it. 5: Medea by EuripidesI like it but it doesn't reach the heights of the other plays for me. Again it probably needs a reread.
>>24802356Sophocles > Aeschylus > Euripides In Sophocles there is always 2 or 3 problems. There is always more than 2 characters at the same time talking. This gives him lots of flexibility and makes the story have a great flow. Aeschylus, I'm biased because I love the Oresteia and Prometheus Bond. Euripides is fine, he does everything good but nothing excels, I'd say he is "mid" if we talk in zoomer language. My favourite from him is The Bacchae and Iphigenia in Aulis, which it's a good introduction for The Iliad.
>>24804460>Prometheus BondThe trilogy is lost though
>>24802356Sophocles > Aeschylus > (Euripides)I've only read Medea in prose, so I can't properly rank Euripides.
I'm actually a Euripides enjoyer.I'd say Euripides > Sophocles > AeschylusObviously I love them all.
>>24802356I like Euripides most followed by Sophocles with least enjoyment in Aeschylus as he is too primitive and crude for me to get in his style
