Plays Based on Myths, Mythology or Legends

Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus

The ruler of Thebes, Eteocles, calls every able bodied male to prepare for battle. Seven forces are ready to attack the seven gates of Thebes. Eteocles learns that his own brother, Polyneices, will command the attack on the seventh gate. There’s much fear in the city.

Antigone by Jean Anouilh (8 Parts)

Creon has become king of Thebes after Antigone’s brothers have killed each other. He ordered that one of them, Polynices, not be given a proper burial. Antigone sneaks back home at dawn. She’s confronted by the Nurse, who questions her. Later, Creon is given some unwelcome news.

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (5 Acts)

Thebes is rife with problems, so the people entreat King Oedipus for help. He says he has dispatched Creon to consult an oracle. Creon says the problems are due to the murder of the last king, and they won’t end until justice is done. A prophet also arrives with a startling revelation.

Mourning Becomes Electra by Eugene O’Neill

This play is an adaptation of the Greek myth Oresteia. Ezra Mannon, the family patriarch, is expected home soon from the Civil War. His daughter, Lavinia, refuses a marriage proposal and has found out that her mother, Christine, has been having an affair. Her mother’s paramour, Adam, a man with a connection to the family, arrives with revenge on his mind.

Electra by Sophocles

Orestes has returned to seek revenge over the murder of his father, the former King Agamemnon. He comes up with a plan. His sister, Electra, also has revenge on her mind.

Andromache by Jean Racine

Orestes goes to the court of Pyrrhus in Greece on an official assignment from King Menalaus of Sparta to demand that Pyrrhus turn over Astyanax, the Trojan prince. He was saved from death during the war by his mother, Andromache, who is now a slave of Pyrrhus. Although engaged to Hermione, the daughter of Menalaus, Pyrrhus loves Andromache and tries to coerce her into marrying him. Meanwhile, Orestes is in love with Hermione and is considering drastic action to steal her from Pyrrhus.