Essay Questions

What is Anne Carson known for?

Anne Carson is a Canadian scholar, professor, and poet. She is most well known for her translations of Greek literature, including some well-known mythological tales like Electra and the poetry of Sappho. Her translations have been a topic of contention among academics, with some enjoying her works and others believe they are not true to the original.

What is Carson's trademark style in her translations?

Carson's translations of ancient Greek literature are unique as she uses modern phrases and a colloquial writing style. In her translations, she modernizes the original, making its style more appealing to a modern audience. This is something that some readers find particularly engaging about Carson's translations, while others feel that it takes something away from the original.

Why does Clytemnestra kill her husband in Sophocles' play Electra?

In this play, which is set during the Trojan War, the Greek King Agamemnon treats his wife Clytemnestra appallingly. Before he left for Troy, he sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia, which causes his wife tremendous grief and misery. In her hunger for revenge, Clytemnestra plots to kill him, and believes that this murder is entirely justified due to the immense pain he caused her.