This play is the first play in the Oresteia trilogy. It deals with the murder of Agamemnon by his wife Clytemnestra. Queen Clytemnestra plots the death of her husband with her adulterous lover, Aegisthus. The story is told during the battle of Troy. Agamemnon returns victorious and speaks of the heinous crimes the Greeks have committed to the very temples of the Gods. It is at this time that Clytemnestra carries out her murder.
Sophocles Antigone
A tragedy dealing with the conflict between secular and divine law in King Creon's refusal to permit the burial of Polynices. Creon issues a an edict that no one shall bury her on pain of death. Antigone, Polynices' sister preforms the rite of burial and is called before Creon. Creon's son, Haemon is betrothed to Antigone and warns his father not to put her in the cave of death. The King does it anyway. The Gods are unhappy with Creon's decision, so he relents and lets the body be buried. When he tries to release Antigone, he is too late. Haemon, hearing this, stabs himself and his mother commits suicide as well.
Sophocles Oedipus Rex
Laius, king of Thebes and father of Oedipus, learns from an oracle that his own son will kill him. He therefore leaves his newborn sonto die on Mount Cithaeron. However, a shepherd finds and rescues the child. The child is brought to the king of Corinth, who rears him as his son. When Oedipus is grown, an oracle tells him he is to kill his father and marry his own mother. To escape this fate he leaves home, beliving the king of Corinth to be his father. On his way to Thebes, Oedipus encounters Laius, quarrels with him, and kills him. Later a Sphinx appears near Thebes, who asks a riddle of all who pass and forces them to guess it or be devoured. The Thebeans offer the throne and hand of Queen Jocasta to whomever can answer the Sphinx' riddle. Oedipus correctly answers the famous riddle of the Sphinx and becomes king, marrying his mother, Jocasta. Soon Oedipus learns the truth and in a fit of horror puts out his eyes, while his mother hangs herself. A blind and helpless outcast, Oedipus wanders away with his daughter Antigone, who cares for him until he dies. Sophocles tells the story of Oedipus and hischildren in a triology: "Oedipus Rex," "Oedipus at Colonus," and "Antigone."
Aristophanes The Frogs
This play is the earliest Greek work that deals predominantly with literary criticism. Longing to see Euripides, the god Dionysus disguises himself as Heracles and goes to Hades. When he arrives he finds Euripides engaged in a battle with Aeschylus over the privilege of dining at Hades' table. A contest is suggested where each of the poets lines will be weighed in a scale. They engage in their verbal battle and Aeschylus is the stronger of the two. They are asked a final question about the Peloponnesian War to help Dionysus decide which one he would rather have.
Euripides Medea
Tragedy in which Medea, a princess form Asiatic Colchis with the powers of a sorceress, has found refuge in Corinth with Jason, her Greek husband. Her love for him has caused her to murder her brother, slay a dragon, and commit other misdeeds that have helped Jason. Jason deserts Medea and marries the daughter of the king of Corinth. Medea is angry and seeks revenge on the happy couple. "Immoderate love has given way to immoderate hate, and lust for vengeance now overcomes love of children [Moses Hadas]."
Everyman
The Second Shepards' Play
Marlowe Dr. Faustus
Tragedy in which Faustus, a learned German doctor of divinity at the University commits himself to the forbidden art of necromancy. By incantations he summons Mephistopheles and they strike a deal. Faustus sells his soul to the devil if the devil will let him live for twenty-four years and have Mephistopheles do his bidding during that time.
Shakespeare Almost any play will be rewarding.
Ben Jonson Volpone
A comedy that is a savage rendering of the many aspects of cupidity. The main character, Volpone, a sly fox, perpetrates an elaborate hoax in order to increase his hoard of gold. With the help of his servant Mosca, Volpone pretends to be deathly ill. He spreads rumours about the names in his will and entices gifts from those who hope to be his heirs. Volpone, attempting final deception, fakes his death after making Mosca his heir. Mosca decides to cheat Volpone himself and keep the inheritance on the assumption that his master cannot afford to come back life.
Moliere The Doctor in Spite of Himself
Martine wishes to take revenge on her husband, the woodcutter, Sganarelle, for having beaten her. She tricks some men into believing that her husband is a doctor but will not share his knowledge unless he is beaten. He is taking care of a mute girl when he discovers she is only pretending to be mute in order to avoid an unwanted marriage. The two work out a deal and he helps her to run away with the one she really loves.
Congreve The Way to the World
This poem is comic in many ways and is known for it's witty dialogue. The plot, though difficult to follow, develops around Millamant whose wit is almost impossible to match. Her only match is her beau, Mirabell. The two wish to marry, but are denied by Mirabell's jealous aunt. Mirabell devises a scheme to fool his aunt into falling in love with an impostor. He plans to expose this impostor and win the affections of his aunt once more.
Sheridan The School for Scandal
A comedy of intrigue in which Sir Peter Teazle, an aging nobleman, marries a young country girl and brings her to London. She soon succumbs to extravagance and the sophisticated mores of Lady Sneerwell's clique. Lady Sneerwell begins circulating rumours of Lady Teazles infidelity with Charles, Joseph's brother, who is expected to inherit a large fortune from Sir Oliver, his uncle. Joseph longs for Oliver's position, while Lady Sneerwell covets Oliver's love as well as his impending wealth. Sir Oliver decides to test the brothers to see which is more deserving of the money.
Goldsmith She Stoops to Conquer
When Kate Hardcastle is informed by her father of the impending arrival of Marlow, her husband to be, she is warned that he is painfully shy with ladies of station. Marlow's friend Hastings is in love with Constance, Kate's best friend. However, Mrs. Hardcastle hopes to marry Kate's oafish brother to Constance, a match which neither relish. Constance's hands are tied because she cannot collect her inheritance of jewels unless she is denied by the brother.