Abstract
This chapter considers adaptations of Greek tragedies about refugees that reflect traditional ethical values from ancient Greece recently reemphasized by philosophers such as Emmanuel Levinas and Jacques Derrida. Modern versions of such plays as Aeschylus’ The Suppliants recall the ancient Greek duty to welcome a guest and provide hospitality. They confront the situation whereby the EU, rather than welcoming refugees, has generally tried to discourage or impede them, thereby gaining the reputation of ‘fortress Europe’. Modern versions of The Suppliants, such as Elfriede Jelinek’s Charges (Die Schutzbefohlenen), demonstrate the hardship encountered by refugees once they arrive in Europe to seek asylum from unsympathetic government officials. Her play has become one of the most celebrated pieces to deal with refugee issues in German-speaking theatres.
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