Literature Library author
Euripides
A concise guide to Euripides's body of work, major titles, and recurring themes.
AP-referenced author
Author overview
Euripides (480 BCE–406 BCE) was a poet and playwright whose body of work spans tragedy. This writing is associated with Classical Athens. Major works and useful reading starting points include Medea, The Suppliants, Rhesus, and Orestes. Key themes include Correct anger does not guarantee just action, Oaths create security and expose betrayal, Exile makes dependence dangerous, and Revenge spreads suffering beyond the guilty.
Reading pathway
Begin with Medea.