In the play “Thyestes”, Seneca addresses Atreus’ revenge against his brother Thyestes in a cruel and very strong way.
In fact, this family has been through some really scary things. Tantalus was condemned in Hades to suffer eternal hunger and thirst, having a lake up to his neck and fruits that he would never be able to reach, for having invited the gods to a banquet where the main dish was his own son Pelops, but Pelops was resurrected by the gods, gods and in turn had Atreus and Thyestes as sons. The latter managed to wrest the kingdom of Mycenae from his brother after having seduced his wife and obtained from her a symbol of royal power.
But Atreus managed to regain the government of Mycenae.
The play narrates the moment when Thyestes is called by his brother for reconciliation and an invitation to share the throne, accompanied by his sons Tantalus and Plisthenes.
Atreus kills his nephews and makes Thyestes eat them without knowing and only later reveals everything to Thyestes’ dismay.
The dialogues are very illustrative and tense, as well as the worst actions are described in a very crude way, something that many don’t like but I consider that this gives the real drama to this legend that is already quite disturbing.
This dark revenge is one of the best in literature.
The Greeks have the best revenge stories in Western literature. Because revenge is always dark and disturbing
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the few modern revenge stories that is dark and cruel. Becoming a worthy heir of the Greek spirit.
by calipso_odyssey