Antiquity and the Making of American Myth: The Oresteia and Mourning Becomes Electra
Keywords:
Oresteia, Mourning Becomes Electra, Aeschylus, Eugene O’Neill, myth adaptation, American dramaAbstract
This article analyzes the adaptation of Aeschylus’ Oresteia into Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra, exploring how ancient myths are reinterpreted in modern American drama. The paper argues that myths and rituals remain significant in cultural hierarchies, serving as a bridge between historical and meta-historical times. The author contends that O’Neill’s adaptation is an attempt to construct the Athenian model within an American context, using classical dramatic forms to critique modern society. This study examines the Oresteia trilogy, focusing on themes of revenge, justice, and the influence of the past on the present. The article demonstrates how O’Neill’s work transforms Greek tragedy into a psychological and social commentary relevant to early 20th-century America. The significance of this analysis lies in its exploration of cultural translation and the enduring relevance of classical myths in contemporary literature.
(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)
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