“Fourth Dimension” has been called the pinnacle of Yannis Ritsos’ oeuvre and one of the greatest works of modern Greek poetry. It consists of theatrical monologues in blank verse written between 1956 and 1975. Their protagonists are everyday or legendary figures (Orestes, Iphigenia, Agamemnon, Ajax, Ismene, et al.) who recount their memories and their experiences to a silent listener. The archetypal mythological figures are presented as familiar men and women on the street, which serves to merge the past with modern Greek history. Through their associative confessions and introspective evaluation of their lives, the characters tackle fundamental existential issues, becoming symbols of the tragedy of life and our shared human fate. Ultimately, however, the poems serve as an affirmation of life, despite its contradictions.
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