The Bacchae - Euripides

Euripides was one of the most controversial of the Greek tragedians, whose ideas and themes were often modern in the context of their time. The Bacchae was one of his last works, depicting the savagery of the insulted God Dionysus as he seeks revenge upon the non-believer Pentheus. By casting the women of Hellas under something of a spell, they join him and become his worshipers, for the most part acting as gentle and  pure Maenads on the mountain. However, once provoked, the Maenads descend into unruly barbarism. As a result, the play descends into a dark triumph of such barbarism over the reason of humanity depicted in Pentheus during the beginning of the play.

The play itself studies religious skepticism regarding the Greek religions, along with the behavior and expectations of women within Greek society. As a result, the play is wholly fascinating, if at times repulsive. The tragedy not only captivates from the beginning, but in the short space becomes so wholly real that the ending stays with the watcher long after the end has been reached.

Richard III - Trafalgar Studios, London

Richard III is a Shakespeare play famous for the absolute villainy of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he weaved his way to the throne in the aftermath of civil war. Through his mastery plan of manipulation and murder, along with his absolute charm and wit, Richard finally achieved his target, but having alienated many powerful men along the way, leading to horrifying consequences. 

The play itself is interesting for its structure and creation of Richard as a character and how, at the beginning, he keeps the audience onside with his thoughtful monologues where he updates those watching on his plans, as though they are a part of his aspiration. However, as the play progresses, he even manages to alienate the audience just as he alienates and abandons Buckingham and Hastings. Not only that, but the wit of Richard is undeniable his best feature. Despite the play being an almost horrific drama, the charm of Richard as a character, along with the questioning attitudes of the characters around him, make Shakespeare's play as entertaining and humorous as it is appalling and striking. 

The performance within the London studios embraced these aspects with a full force. With Martin Freeman, an actor famous for both his comedic roles along with his more dramatically adventurous roles such as those from Sherlock and Fargo, playing the title role, every aspect of Richard's personality was embraced; the comedic, almost flirty attitude that came with the witty charisma was just as hilarious as the intimidating anger was electrifying, frankly even disturbing. 

Meanwhile, while i hadn't imagined many of the characters being the way they were cast, the casting was in fact ingenious. From the northern playboy-ness of Rivers, to the almost innocently-greasy Hastings, each character was given a personality outside of their words, which was embraced with full enthusiasm from each actor. And along with each personality, the horror was also fully embraced, with everything from blood dripping heads to needing theater-provided shirts in the front seats (like us) to avoid getting blood splatters on your clothing. 

As a whole, the play was two hours of enrapturing, if at times horrifying, perfection of imaginary interpretation - one that will be difficult to live up to for any play, Shakespeare or no. 

P.S. Having exited by the stage door, we also got to see the whole cast do the ice bucket challenge immediately afterwards - with them all still covered in gore. Needless to say, it was hilarious. 

Crush - Richard Siken

"Tell me how all this, and love too, will ruin us."

Crush is a collection of poetry by Richard Siken which is drenched in the excruciating addiction to love which addles the narrator. Moreover, the difficulties of pain, both from love and attraction, are fully explored as each word bleeds with desperation experienced through his struggles with homosexuality and absolute panic brought on by obsession. 

The collection itself is riddled with such panic, and as a result it holds the reader rapt with interest without. A totalitarian amount of themes holds interest, as the main ones find themselves constantly resurfacing to the forefront - an inescapable emotion displayed with cruel characters and cruel worlds, but which themselves are riddled with an addictive, craveably profound nature.  

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is, first and foremost, a love story of the most simple kind, stretching from youth to the very last days of life, and afterlife, of Achilles and Patroclus. The bond between the demigod Achilles and the human warrior Patroclus has been recognised for centuries, known for their part in The Iliad and therefore the Trojan War. The Song of Achilles explores the further idea that the two were more than mere friends, but instead lovers, and does so in such a delicate and heart wrenching way that the book will do no less than drag you in with details of youthful days under the care of the god Chiron, and tear your heart apart with the wrath of Achille's mother Thetis and the brutality and tragedy of the Trojan war.

"Perhaps it is the greatest grief, after all," the book reads, "to be left on earth when another is gone." It is words like these that will strike without warning and hint toward the truth that lies beneath the events of the myths. Through these, the book explores themes of, most obviously, love, but also honour, family and, of course, grief and loss.

There is no doubt that The Song of Achilles is one of my favourite novels, and for no precisely discernible reason, other than knowing that i read the entire thing in one afternoon, completely by accident. Although in all honesty, i am a sucker for any book that can make me cry my eyes out, and this book is doubtless a tragedy.

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

The Secret History follows the story of Richard Papen's year at a New England college as he finds himself rapt with fascination over the group of Classics students who on the surface seem perfectly exquisite with intellect and New England charm, but find themselves descending into tragedy following a disastrous attempt of Dionysus worship. Events play out until it is revealed why the novel opened with the initial discovery that the group murdered one of their fellow intellects, a friend, Bunny, and then continue to display how the murder rots their friendships, lives and sanity, reaching a climax worthy of a Greek tragedy. It is not a who-dun-it story, but a why-dun-it.

The story itself is clearly a "triumph of barbarism over reason", showing how the extremist thoughts, combined with the ultimate charisma, of Henry collide to lash out into complete catastrophe for an emotionally distraught group of young, languid friends. The significance of Greek mythology and tragedy is of ultimate importance to the entire novel, with the barbarism and inhumanity of the myths and gods constantly reflecting the events, while through implementing Latin and Greek phrases throughout, along with the teachings of Plato and others, an air of mystery and questioning morality is contained inside each event and narrative of each character. Whether that be the issues of alcohol and sexual attraction that are struggled with within the devilish Charles, or the borderline-sociopathy of Henry, through to the controversial homosexuality of Francis,each character holds it's own 'Fatal Flaw' that will become the downfall of their entire existence.

The Fatal Flaw, afterall, is the theme the entire novel is ultimately addicted to. And while each may have their own, Richard Papen shares his with the novel, and perhaps the novels most addicted readers; A morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray follows the extravagant and unruly lifestyle of one Dorian Gray following his accidental immortality and the arrogant sense of freedom he develops as a result. While the storyline follows Dorian's behavior and the'magic' portrait which takes the punishment for these actions, much of the basis of the novels beauty is found in it's focus on art and the truth behind such things. While Dorian eventually finds himself tormented by the crimes he commits, his fascination with pleasure continues, with him remarking the significance of pleasure and happiness not being two things of the same kind - a belief he is convinced of until the bitter end.

"The artist is the creator of beautiful things" remarks Wilde upon opening his novel; a line which certainly transforms Wilde into not only a writer, but an artist to the merit of Monet. While the character of Dorian undeniably descends into pure ugliness, the writings and thoughts weaved together to create the story are constantly captivating as they explore the themes of morality, freedom and youth.

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights is a novel which explores not only love and relationships, but the nature of humans, whether they be selfish, cruel, loyal or loving. With an adventurous narrative structure, the story of Catherine and Heathcliff is revealed through the ears and thoughts of Mr Lockwood, as he is told by Nelly, a maid who had experienced almost the entire of Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship. From hearing about the two as they are young and meet, through to the difficulties and separations they experience later in life, their intensely passionate and almost cruel love story is told, continuing meanwhile with a reflection of Heathcliff's attitude throughout along with following his loss of Catherine.

The most fascinating aspect of this story happens to be the enrapturing cruelness of Heathcliff's nature. While at the beginning of the novel their are almost hints of a ruffian, attractive underdog within his character, perhaps because this is what Catherine sees, throughout the story the genuine brutishness of his character is revealed to the point where, despite the tragedies he faces, the reader is still unable to sympathise for him. However, this still acts as a perfect example of where love can be unhealthy, and almost the exact opposite of love - hatred and cruelness wrapped in a gauze of obsession and retribution.  

1984 - George Orwell

1984 is a postmodernist novel following the character of Winston Smith as he navigates his way through the trouble of his 'thought-crime'. He is a low level member of the Party, who is frustrated by the oppression of the party, which watches all members of society throughout all areas of their lives. When he finally makes contact with a member of the party, Julia, and another man of importance, O'Brien, his supposed 'thought-crimes' progress beyond the simple diary in which he first announced 'Down with Big Brother', toward other, more severe, crimes. However, with the all-watching eyes of Big Brother, it is only a matter of time before they are found out.

The novel itself is a fascinating concept expressed in a delicate manner which manages to reflect the points where the almost post-apocalyptic nature of the book's world collides with the reality of modern society. Through exploring themes of truth, human nature, and even love, the novel tells Winston's story in a style that leaves you totally invested in the point of view, emotions and eventual confusion of the narrator, to the point where you can almost reach the point of understanding and sharing the beliefs, anger and frustrations of Winston's mind.

It is an excellent story to read for it's well thought out world and political system, not to mention it's interesting stance on social hierarchy and loyalty. Furthermore, the relationship between Winston and Julia is undeniably fascinating, since although they seem convinced of their love, it is less so, since it is not the other person they are attached to, but the idea of corruption and rebellion that is created by their being together.

Intentional Dissonance

Frisson: the word used to describe the moment the hair on the back of your neck stands up when you are struck by a climax of beauty in art.

 

Intentional Dissonance is a book purely profound in every way that with every page inflicts its own frisson. Not only does the post-apocalypse piece of art make you consider the power of words, from frisson to saudade, but also makes you consider your life as a whole. With a profoundly empty world, where bottled emotions are taken like drugs and antique shops hold the ruins of the statue of liberty, the story follows Jon as he tries to survive in the microcosm of a world that has barely survived.

 

‘You have read this all before and you will read it again’ reads The End which opens the book, starting the loop of central character Jon’s life. The story then tumbles from first person into third, due to Jon’s preference to refer to himself in the third person, he explains to us, and then begins to explain what happens when he ‘falls’.

 

The world in which Jon has lived in for the past ten years has not treated him kindly, leaving him addicted to a drug called sadness despite it being illegal, as the government instead taints the water supply with the opposite, happiness, in order for every member of society to be forcefully induced with it. But through the story, Jon is left to save or destroy what little of the free world is left as it is besieged by its own governors.

 

However, the storyline is not what makes Intentional Dissonance special. While reading it you must pay attention to details as the novel explores the very concept of human emotion and survival. It can be a difficult read, at times confusing, and without paying utmost attention it can simply be accused of being, in extreme cases, unenjoyable. However, if you particularly enjoy the poetics of words and what it is to be human, and are willing to face what could even be called a literary challenge, then this book could be excellent for you.

King Lear

The National Theatre’s presentation of King Lear presented the King’s Love Test within a modern setting, where the divide of the kingdom and the events which follow it are exceptional.

The exploration of unique staging kicked off the play, with the fool facing the audience throughout the test, which itself suffered a mass of waves in emotion; from Lear’s power fuelled beginning, through to the outlandish drop into rage, every step found itself swelling with dramatics.

As the play continued the production stayed true to the aspects of Shakespeare’s play which had always made it great. From humour, to suspense, horror through to sorrow. Beale’s performance of the mad king excellently encapsulates the pure power the king thinks himself drenched with in the beginning. Onwards into the play he maintained the admirable presentation with acting that twitched with tiny details that only grew Lear into a character the audience could only attach to, if sorrowfully.

With a setting in a type of modern day royalty, more suited to military than monarchy, the story stays committed to Shakespeare’s original outline. From the famous speeches of love, through to Edgars ending lines, the story is shown heavily but truthfully, lending to a deep understanding of the complex turning of events as Edmund and the two sisters try to weave the world around their fingers.  

Overall, the play built a solid foundation on top of which it built an excellent portrayal; one that was understandable, fluid and, at times, mind-consuming. It successfully proved King Lear to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.