THEMES OF PLAYS As Greek culture spread in the wake of the conquests of Alexander the Great, the topical, literary comedies and philosophical tragedies became inappropriate, and domestic comedy - called Middle and New Comedy - proliferated. ... His tragedies, first performed about 500 BC, were presented as trilogies, or groups of three, usually bound together by a common theme, and each trilogy was followed by a satyr drama (low comedy involving a mythological hero, with a chorus of satyrs). ... The characteristics of his works are the profundity of theme and the grandeur of the poetry recit...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9

The evolving theme of an individual's weakness and subsequent downfall supports the Greek's democratic system, where no individual becomes too powerful. ... She is foreshadowing the theme of the story and Euripides is voicing his message plainly through her. ... His first wife, Medea, is a powerful woman who has no place to go, so she becomes desperate. ... Even now I know that I am making a mistake," he says (Euripides, The Medea, 332-330). ... He lies and says that he is remarrying for the good of Medea and the children, so that they too may be royalty. ...

• Word Count: 1999
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School