Why is Euripides the most tragic of playwrights?

Question

As said by Aristotle in his poetics:
'Though his teqniche may be falty Euripidies is the most tragic of poets'

Euripidies, though, does not follow the techniques, of tragedy, laid down by Aristotle and never won the Dionysia

Answer 1

I think Euripides explored and exposed more of the inner lives of the characters than Sophocles or Aeschyllus. His writing can be given to rhetorical excess, but that seems to be in line with the characters themselves -- and a very human trait, in that we can all get carried away by emotion and become very speechy.

His characters are also more individual, being more psychologically dimensional and particular than his contemporaries. I think they also relate to each other more, rather than merely make speeches at each other -- there is some of that, as well, for such was the nature of theatre at the time, but in the exchanges between characters, there is more of a sense of people talking.

His writing also explored female characters more sympathetically and individually than the others.

Just my opinions.

Answer 2

Euripides is the most tragic of the Greek playwrights because of the time during which he wrote. A war was raging and the pride that the Greeks felt during the time of Aeschylus was in the past. The relationship between Euripides and tragedy is similar to the way the protesters felt during the Vietnam War.

From what I have gathered from my own classroom study of the Vietnam War, the hope that the United States was the greatest country in the world was gone. The United States was no longer the greatest country on the planet due to it's valiance during World War II. Instead, all of the patriotic pride was gone.

In other words, Euripides is the most tragic of the playwrights because he wrote during a time when there was no hope for Greek citizens and government.

Answer 3

Aristotle was saying that Euripides was the best example at the time. His plays followed the ideal tragic form better than the other playwrights of his time. It was also because he was a consistant winner of the contests in the City Dionysia.

Answer 4

Great question!
Well, we have to see the development of theater, in order to understand the role of each of the playwriters!
The first dynamic step was done by Thespis; he developed a one actor theater, monologue in a short of expression.
Then we have Aeschylus, then Sophocles and last of the great ones Euripides.
Euripides also is called the Philosopher from the Stage! He, under the direction of Socrates, left the superstitions out and he was teaching his audience on logic, ethics, justice, principles, virtues and so on!

Answer 5

I guess in the context of his time, while he was making work that was unique and modern for the time getting condemned for it was not an easy thing. It's kind of like an arthouse director (let's take wong kar wai or tarantino) not getting the kind of recognition they deserve even though their works will be ripped and copied for because they will be trendy and insightful looking for the future. Great artists are usually a bit odd, a bit strange but always forward looking and unfortunately not always recognized till the bitter end.

Answer 6

Who says Euripides is the most tragic. His predecessors Aeschylus and Sophocles wrote equally good tragedies and these three are together known for their canonical tragedies.

Answer 7

So Medea kills her own children to spite her estranged husband and we end up sympathysing with her?!

That's fairly tragic by any standards.

Answer 8

He's not!!!