Which of these constitutes the only extant trilogy from ancient Greek tragedy?

Correct option is B

Explanation:

This trilogy, known as the Oresteia, written by Aeschylus, is the only complete trilogy from ancient Greek tragedy that survives intact. He has written 90 plays out of which only 7 survived. It narrates the story of the cursed House of Atreus, starting with the murder of King Agamemnon, followed by the vengeance of his son Orestes, and concluding with the resolution of the cycle of blood vengeance in Athens.  It follows the tragic consequences of King Agamemnon's return from the Trojan War, his murder by his wife Clytemnestra, the revenge of his son Orestes, and the ultimate establishment of justice through the transformation of the vengeful Furies into the Eumenides (the Kindly Ones). The Oresteia is the only fully surviving trilogy from ancient Greek tragedy, as most other trilogies have been lost to history.

Information Booster:

Trilogy in Greek Tragedy: Often presented as a set of three plays, they were performed in a single day during festivals honoring Dionysus.

Aeschylus – The Father of Tragedy:

- Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) is often considered the father of Greek tragedy. He introduced the second actor on stage (before, Greek plays only had one actor with the chorus) and developed dramatic tension through character interactions.

Summary of Oresteia

- Agamemnon: After returning from the Trojan War, Agamemnon is murdered by his wife Clytemnestra as revenge for his sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia.

- Choephori (The Libation Bearers): Agamemnon’s son, Orestes, returns home and, with the help of his sister Electra, avenges his father by killing Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus.

- The Eumenides: Orestes is pursued by the Furies for matricide. He seeks refuge in Athens, where the goddess Athena establishes the first court of law, transforming vengeance into a system of justice.

Significance of Oresteia:

- It explores themes of justice vs. revenge, the transition from personal vengeance to institutionalized law, and the role of gods and fate in human affairs.
- It is the only complete trilogy we have from Greek tragedy, as most other trilogies have been lost.


Additional Knowledge:

King Oedipus, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone: These plays by Sophocles are not a trilogy but part of the Theban plays written at different times. These plays concern the fate of Thebes during and after the reign of king Oedipus.