Thyestes Summary

"Four Tragedies and Octavia" by Seneca is a collection of four plays written by Seneca and one play that is debated whether or not it is written by Seneca. These plays focus on stories from Greek mythology and were written previously by other writers. These plays are very interesting reinterpretations by the renown philosopher Seneca.

The background information tells how the House of Pelops is doomed from the time that Tantalus, a son of Zeus, serves Pelops, his son, as the meal at a banquet of the gods. Zeus restores Pelops to life, and Pelops obtains a wife and kingdom by his treachery. Pelops' crown becomes a source of contention between his two sons, Atreus and Thyestes. At the time the play begins, Atreus reigns as king and plots against Thyestes by the means of a false reconciliation. The curse of the House...