Euripides and His Age

Euripides and His Age by Gilbert Murray is a scholarly exploration of the life and work of the ancient Greek playwright Euripides one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens alongside Aeschylus and Sophocles. The book delves into the historical social and political context of Euripides' time examining how his plays reflected and responded to the turbulent events of 5th-century BCE Athens. Murray highlights how Euripides’ works often diverged from traditional Greek drama by questioning established norms and offering more human-centered psychological insights into his characters. The book not only analyzes the themes of Euripides' major tragedies but also examines his innovative use of language character development and dramatic structure. Murray discusses the playwright’s approach to depicting gods heroes and society emphasizing how Euripides portrayed the complexities of human emotions and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals. The work challenges traditional ideas of heroism and virtue making Euripides’ tragedies more relatable and introspective compared to those of his predecessors.