Journal for Christian reflections in the context of social sciences and humanities

Caritas et veritas 2020, 10(2):88-100 | DOI: 10.32725/cetv.2020.029

Aeschylus' Oresteia and the Problem of the Tragic Nature of Man

Lukáš Jeník
Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Teologická fakulta, Katedra kresťanskej filozofie, Kostolná 1, 814 99 Bratislava

The significance of the ancient tragedies is still relevant. Their constant inspiration for education lies, among other things, in their contribution to the issue of finding the essence of human nature. Aeschylus' work is one of the key milestones in literature, but it is also an example of the formation of specific (non-philosophical) answers to the question of man and his essence. The aim of the analysis of the trilogy Oresteia is to present selected aspects of this thinking which reflects and foreshadows problems in the philosophy of the 5th century BC. The study also focuses on the instrumental value of tragedy. Tragedy (not systematically, but more effectively and suggestively) represents one aspect of human nature - homo tragicus. Aeschylus' answer to the question of human nature is also related to his emphasis on the importance of law and justice which should be the only ruler in the community.

Keywords: Aeschylus, tragedy, human nature, polis

Published: September 30, 2020  Show citation

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Jeník, L. (2020). Aeschylus' Oresteia and the Problem of the Tragic Nature of Man. Caritas et veritas, 10(2), 88-100. doi: 10.32725/cetv.2020.029
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