A Study On The Inheritance And Transcendence Of "Mourning Becomes Electra" To "Orestes"

Eugene O’Neill (Eugene O’Neill1888-1953)is the founder of modern American drama,known as the" father of American drama". In1936he won the Nobel Prize for literature and he became one of the world’s most outstanding playwright ranks. O’Neill was deeply influenced by the ancient Greek tragedy.He created the modern tragedy" Mourning Becomes Electra" modeled Aeschylus’"Orestes"." Mourning Becomes Electra" not only has the characteristics of ancient tragedy,but also has the characteristics of modern psychological tragedy.This article intends to compare " Mourning Becomes Electra" and "Orestes". Analysis the motif, plot, characters and artistic techniques on the basis of carefully reading the works.In order to analysis the inheritance and transcendence of " Mourning Becomes Electra" to "Orestes". The paper is divided into five main parts:The introduction mainly introduces the domestic research for O’Neill.By the study of the data, pointe out that no one analysis the inheritance and transcendence of " Mourning Becomes Electra" to "Orestes"comprehensively up to now.To discuss this question on the study of O’Neill is very necessary.The first chapter is to analyze the changes of "Orestes" motif.Then analysis of the three writers of tragedy on the same themes of different treatments. Section second focuses on twentieth Century with O’neal as the representative of the numerous writers of tragedy for the modern interpretation of this motif.The second chapter interprets the inheritance of " Mourning Becomes Electra" to "Orestes".First," Mourning Becomes Electra" inherits the view of destiny of "Orestes.Second, O’Neill inherits the ancient Greek tragedy chorus performances.The third chapter interprets the transcendence of " Mourning Becomes Electra" to "Orestes".First, Electra in "Orestes" appearances few and is a simple figure. But lavinia in Mourning Becomes Electra"is an extremely complex characters and can do more diverse interpretation.Second, female roles are decline in "Orestes".The female role dominated the plot in " Mourning Becomes Electra",which is related to the female view of O’Neill and the age.Third,mask is just a prop in ancient Greek tragedy,but O’Neill gives " Mourning Becomes Electra" mask face more symbolic meaning.Fourth,the ancient Greek tragedy does not pay attention to the psychology of the characters,but O’Neill use modern psychoanalysis theory on modern psychological analysis," Electra complex"," Oedipus complex" as the pivot, wrote a modern psychological tragedy.The fifth part is the conclusion, summary the inheritance and transcendence of Mourning Becomes Electra" to "Orestes".