They will say that even though you werent wedded to her, you were still the poor virgins promised husband. In the beginning of the play, Agamemnon . 751. Death is a dreadful thing! 260. To the lowly and weak mortals, the fortunate always appear like gods. Dent & Sons, 1920. Well, you pretended you didnt want the job but you did. 290. The more I hold you in my arms the more the tears rush to my eyes. And, no, I will not murder my children and certainly wont do it so that you can wrongfully enjoy some sort of vengeance exacted from a disgraceful wife, while I waste away in tears day and night because I had committed such a godless crime against them, against my own flesh and blood. Menelaos Act according to your position, or youll be very sorry, old man! First Chorus Moored next to them was an equal number of Argive ships, headed by two chiefs, Euryalus, the son of Mecisteus, who was raised by his grandfather, Talaus and Sthenelus, Capaneus son. Which of the gods has stolen you? Thats true, Ive changed and Ive changed because I love you, brother. 810, Achilles, they say. The only other Greeks who know about this are Calchas, Odysseus and Menelaos. And this, my lady, this is no lie, believe me! It all starts at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis (Achilles' parents) Thetis is divine, so they invite all the gods and goddesses, except Strife. Agamemnon The entire Greek army, Menelaos! It seems Im eagerly preparing for an imaginary wedding! 630. Menelaos See this? I can see you there now: a nobleman becoming a brother-in-law to a nobleman, to the divine Achilles, the son of Thetis the Nereid. Klytaimestra Ill certainly try that if thats the last thing I do! 910. This is a dreadful thing for me to do but it is just as dreadful not to do it. Come, then, father, turn to me and give me a final kiss. Klytaimestra Answer me honestly, my husband! Old man, come out here! Just answer my question! And how did you respond to that? Helen fell in love with him and he fell in love with Helen. Iphigeneia Whats wrong, daddy? If only this town, if only Aulis, had refused to let all these Troy-destined ships enter her harbour! Oh! Tell me, Agamemnon: Tell me what will you say to someone who asks you why youve killed your daughter? Agamemnon And still something is holding back the expedition. My friend, neither kill nor be killed because of me. Agamemnon What? Gluck: Overture to "Iphigenia in Aulis" / Mori - YouTube What is all this loud brawling in front of my tent? 1300. Be careful not to disgrace your ancestors house. Iphigeneia Are you sending me to live with another family, daddy? I cannot stop crying! 65. Old Man No, madam! Should you not be expecting a poisonous welcome since youre departing like a snake? Theyre all just sitting idly around by the shore. 80. So, calm yourself now, Klytaimestra. She runs her hand over his chin, over his right hand. Achilles Yes, madam and I too, am furious at your husband. Klytaimestra What shall I tell your little sisters? Just before Dawn. And I? Only fools would pray to go down there. They cry when they wish and speak their mind freely, something which a leader cannot do: its undignified, its an insult to the splendour of his position and his whole life is controlled by it. I hate such relationships; they bring bitter pain to all. Let no Greek touch my body with his hand. How should I start? You, Paris, you son of Priam! Ah, Menelaos! Achilles I know, I have a bloated pride, madam but I can assure you, I feel the pain of misfortune and the joy of success with a wise temper, a moderate temper; because I also know that those with a moderate temper lead a wiser life. Go, now! And so, the Greeks ordered you to let them board their ships and go back home and to stop wasting their efforts here. When Agamemnon tries to avoid sacrificing Iphigenia, Menelaus calls Agamemnon a traitor to both Greece and his own brother. Husband, I know the prospective grooms name but I know little about his family or his country. Master! Klytaimestra Hes an evil man, my husband. I do not envy those in authority." Context:: This line comes near the very beginning of the play. Come on, wont you beg your father not to kill your big sister? Can you see this stag, this animal that walks about in the mountains? Let that stand for me in place of the children and the marriage I could have had. Iphigeneia The same song, mother, the same words tell both our fates, dear mother and I Ive lost the days sweet light, the sweet light of the suns rays! Agamemnon And you shouldnt be hanging around here, among all the soldiers! See that there are no wheel marks on the road. Look at him for the last time. Leave! You can see it! What marriage are you talking about, madam? It is improper for tears to be shed during holy rites. Iphigenia (1977) - Plot - IMDb Gods forbid that I should choose to lose a brother to win a Helen! Oh, what a joy it is to see you, Iphigeneia! I wont let anyone take your life even though it would be against your wish. And how is it that you, a woman, is here, where the whole army of the Greek men and their shields is gathered? As Iphigeneia approaches her, Agamemnon enters. Perseus provides credit for all accepted July 4, 2022 . Let me make it absolutely clear, my lady: I was there and I saw it with my own eyes! Happy to be at your sisters wedding. But I will talk: the strong ought to help the weak where they can, even if they have little to do with their plight. I want to marry you, to take you to my home and to protect you. At the tip of their sterns stood the golden statues of Nereids, the emblem of Achilles army. A terrible love." Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis tags: euripides , greek-tragedy , iphigenia-at-aulis , power , power-hungry 11 likes Like Dont waste any time! Let my pity be a protective blanket over you; it is the pity of a young man but it is a sincere pity, nevertheless and one brought about by the fact that I have been the one named as your daughters husband. My lord! Its good that the children will be spared. Come, go into my tent now. Here, take it now and carry it over toArgos. 1250. Wagner) / Akira Mori, conductor - Drake Symphony Orchestra / Recorded at Drake University, (date) Show more Show more Gluck. Come, son of a goddess! IPHIGENIA IN AULIS Essay Summary A monologue from the play by Euripides NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Plays of Euripides in English, vol. First Chorus We have come to watch the army of the divine Greeks and their thousand ships. Menelaos Yes, but an unstable mind is an evil thing, something which befuddles the minds of ones friends. Agamemnon Nods, then looks around him. Dent & Sons, 1920. Please dont be offended now! Of beauty kindling flames of love, High on my splendid car I move, Betrothed to Thetis' son a bride: Ah hapless bride, to all the train. But they cant, my darling daughter. Chorus Where has the strength of your face gone? It is a madness I cannot control. No tomb, no tombstone! Agamemnon Asopus, the river god, had a daughter,Aegina. What will you ask the gods to grant you as your knife cuts through your daughters throat? Chorus There goes the girl wholl soon stain the altar of the murderous goddess with the gushing blood of her beautiful throat! Agamemnon and I have separate properties. Klytaimestra Is it your wish to kill our child? Menelaos Who gave me the right? First Chorus This is the naval force I saw with my own eyes and about which I had heard earlier. The gods are no fools and they know when oaths are falsely pledged or forced upon people. What horror! First Chorus Different words now but better. It seems that the generals do as they please with me. Ive tried all manner of subtle tricks to get my closest friends to agree with me and there, too, Ive failed. He knows nothing of my scheme, nothing of the marriage and nothing of my supposed wish to give my daughter to him, to have him take her into his arms and into his marital bed. 164. There will be no grave. Old Man But, surely, my lord, surely it is there, in the trappings of office and power, that we find pleasure! with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Well, Helen, unfortunately, old man, chose Menelaos! In order to appease her and sail on to Troy, Agamemnon was forced to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia; the Chorus describes in detail her pitiful cries for mercy as her father's men cut her throat. She goes over to her mother and takes baby Orestes in her arms. 1460. Let hers be the last one to do so! What you mustnt do is run around wildly about the camp among the soldiers. Sweet daughter! Where shall I begin? Chorus He is the Trojan Ganymede, the loving delight of Zeus bed! Old Man Yes, tell me so that what I say to your wife agrees with what youve written in there. So, tell me, my brother: What is all this violent fury? Once you see the knife approaching your neck you might well call for my help. Agamemnon We are brothers when we are doing what is reasonable, not when we do what is madness. Go! Chorus Friends, let us sing our prayer to Artemis! One of his servants go and tell him that Achilles, Peleas son is here, waiting for him, at the entrance of his tent! 0 rating. Thats what theyll be saying; and all this because of you, Helen! Another, Pallas, was proud of her war spear and the third, Hera, proud of the fact that she shared her bed with Lord Zeus. Klytaimestra No, I wont. 640. Happy noises of incoming royal procession, including horses and chariot are heard within, Stage Left. She swings him, sadly, gently back and forth and leans over him as she speaks to him. I was a very good house keeper for you. Chorus Your words are worthy of you, Achilles and of your mother who is a splendid goddess. Iphegenia at Aulis) was left unfinished at Euripides' death in 406 BCE, and so the beginning and the ending especially are mutilated and choppy.Completed by someone else, it along with The Bacchae and the lost Alcmaeon formed a trio produced in Athens which won Euripides a fifth albeit posthumous first prize.. Agamemnon recounts the recent history of Helen's suitors . Shelley Dean Milman. The Chorus turns in the direction of the scream and responds! Iphigeneia Yes, mother. 480-406 BC) and being performed in the Outdoor Theater at the Getty Villa from September 7 to 30. This is the very same sky that heard your words then and the words you chose to write afterwards, reversing your message to your wife, telling her this time, in words to the effect that Ill no longer be my daughters murderer! 360. Agamemnon Here, Menelaos. Old Man Menelaos! He married Thetis, Nereus daughter. Achilles Her father had promised her to me! Youre both in such a state of distress and confusion! 1031. Am I not allowed to manage the affairs of my own home, in my own way, now? Current location in this text. Agamemnon And when you come across some fork in the road, check it carefully. Dire to me because it brought about my death. PDF STUDY GUIDE - Court Theatre Agamemnon My child, why are you crying? Achilles Slave to whom? Chorus Listen to her, Agamemnon! Iphigenia among the Taurians, Bacchae, Iphigenia at Aulis, Rhesus Iphigenia at Aulis - Euripides - Google Books Indicating the skyLook up there! 1350. Klytaimestra Achilles, son of the Nereid! Tell me what is this secret thats worrying you so much. I can talk no more. Let me enjoy the sweet light of day and do not force me to enter the world beneath the earth. Mother, I see a group of men coming towards us! Klytaimestra Go ahead then, speak. Iphigeneia hugs her mother. You shouldnt go against them! Its a natural thing for men with decent hearts to do the decent thing. First Chorus I, too, feel pity for you if it is at all proper for a foreigner to feel pity for the plight of kings. Agamemnon Thank you, friend. Pensively, anxiously. Here are the two of us, ones a baby, the other a grown up girl, a brother and a sister, both your children, begging you, by your beard, pleading with you. Menelaos I was waiting to see if your daughter would leaveArgosto come to the army camp. Enter Second Messenger running excitedly. Old Man Dear Fortune, help my brain to save those I love. Still, if I fail? IPHIGENIA IN AULIS Essay Paper (427 words) - Happyessays Agamemnon Look at you? Dont become an evil man! Your own father has slaughtered you with his own hand! Your father has gone, my darling and abandoned you to Hades! The moment we got there with your daughter all the Greek soldiers gathered around us. Iphigenia O mother that bore me! And then am I mad if I had changed my mind about something which I later realised I was wrong? If only I could! Agamemnon Pleasure! Whether I do it or I dont, the consequences for me will be the same. There is nothing that I would not do for my darling Iphigeneia. The second, Iphigenia at Aulis, so vastly different as to highlight the playwright's Protean invention, centres on the ultimate dysfunctional family, that of Agamemnon, as natural emotion is. Now let go of my letter! PDF Cite Share. What an awful Fate the gods have delivered to you! Achilles First, let us try and bring her father back to his senses. First Chorus Joy will come to those who share their marriage bed with the calm of Aphrodites love and not with the frenzy of Eros stinging arrows! Now come out of Agamemnons tent. And if I tried to run off toArgos, the whole lot of them will come over and destroy the place, raze the whole city to the ground, Cyclopean walls and all! She is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra . Klytaimestra What, Achilles? How can you prove that you and I have the same father? Helen, wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta, had eloped to Troy with Paris, son of King Priam. No, I will not shed any tears now. She goes to her death, so her father won't have to carry the guilt of. Only the two choruses are now present. With his own sword, madam he will make bloody the young girls white neck bloody it with her own blood! Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances : Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide: Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data: ComiXology But wholl carry the bridal torch? Stop waiting for those indecisive sons of Atreas to tell you what to do. She decides to ruin the party by tossing in a golden apple that says "To the . Its covered with a cloak. We use cookies for social media and essential site functions. Klytaimestra You? Klytaimestra What? Her unexpected arrival has added to my ruin. A prophet? But then, suddenly a miracle happened, my lady! Conditions and Exceptions apply. I saw you trying to write it by the light of that lamp there. An XML version of this text is available for download, Look here, father! What does your Iphigeneia have to do with my Helen? The whole city ofAulisis quiet and the guard on the walls has yet to change. For such a young girl you are so intelligent! Then, without anyone forcing you, totally of your accord and dont claim it wasnt- you had sent a letter to your wife to bring Iphigenia here, in the pretence that shed be marrying Achilles. Klytaimestra I hear you, I hear you! 950. All of you! No, he gave you life so that you may understand pain, as well as pleasure. And I beg you also for my mothers sake, the woman who laboured to bring me to life, the woman who is being tortured even now. Old Man My lady, you know who I am and just how loyal Ive been to you and your children. 1121. See what troubles the gods have thrown at me, the poor wretch? Calchas will find out for me what it is the goddess will be satisfied with though, I know, it will be something which will bring me misery and a great deal of hard suffering for the rest of Greece. The Plot of Iphigeneia at Aulis. Come, son of the goddess, lend us a hand, help us, or else we are doomed! Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides | Analysis & Themes | Study.com We your children and I- will give you the return that an evil man deserves. Chorus How the dance-loving lyre and the enchanting notes of the reedy flute brought the fair haired Muses up from their home, the Pierian Springs, to the top of Mount Pelios! Oh, goddess who lets her brilliant light roll along through the gloomy darkness of the night! Agamemnon Little girls should not be bothered with such things. You, Agamemnon, are doing what countless others have also done in public life: While theyre in power they put up enormous efforts to keep it but then, when the public makes a stupid decision sometimes understandably so because the leader is too weak to lead the State- these public figures fall all in a heap and they disgrace themselves! Let me tell you why I am angry. Iphigeneia Separation? Chorus What an awful, pitiful fate you must endure, child! Klytaimestra My dear Lord, Agamemnon! Come, folks come and take down from the carriage the wedding gifts Ive brought and carefully carry them into the tent. Agamemnon Youll be able to see the sacrifice. An unrelenting curse. Klytaimestra Yes, quite right, too! He was the one responsible for that job. He is the son of the goddess Thetis, and his tutor was Cheiron, the most honourable of all the centaurs. What would be the best action for him to take? Come, take me to the altar of the goddess. Old Man He tricked you about the marriage with Achilles, my lady, so that youd be willing to come here. Klytaimestra The whole of the Greek army? Iphigeneia I am ashamed because my marriage has turned out to be such a dismal failure. I know too well that this awful plight is mine and mine alone you have nothing to do with it 980. But go! Dont suppose for one minute that Ill be asking them to treat you well. Achilles The whole army is calling out for. Paris! And the gods will see to that, whether you like it or not. This is the first English edition with commentary of the play since 1891. Second Chorus They are the offspring of a great and most fortunate family. Both of us, darling! I beg you, father! CineMan-8 20 April 1999. 490. If the sons of Atreas practice honesty then I shall obey them but if they dont, rest assured, madam that Ill defy them. Shes about to be slaughtered by the hand of her own father! Iphigenia in Aulis: Clytemnestra's Monologue Klytaimestra Oh, no, child! You will say that youve killed our daughter so that Menelaos, your brother, can get back his Helen! Why are you leaving? Iphigenia at Aulis Cast of Characters: Calchas, an augur Agamemnon, King of Argos Attendant, an old man Menelaus, brother to Agamemnon Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon Iphigenia, daughter to Clytemnestra and Agamemnon Achilles, a warrior Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt Messenger Chorus of Women of Chalcis Attendants to Clytemnestra Iphigeneia rushes and embraces Agamemnon. She goes to the door of the tent and opens it so that the servant may hear her. They will sail over to our home, to Argos and kill our children and the two of us as well! Iphigenia In Aulis - 666 Words | 123 Help Me Agamemnon A thought just occurred to me, a thought which might frighten you, Menelaos! Iphigenia at Aulis was first performed in 405 B.C.E., the year after Euripides' death. It is a glory that will never wither in the minds of the Greeks. You have betrayed your own brother! Achilles No, my lady, dont call your daughter out to see me. Agamemnon I, with all the Greeks as witnesses shall give Iphigeneia away. Shhhh listen to me! My baby boy, Orestes, will also be there and he, too, will cry. You are the cause of this miserable conflict between the sons of Atreas and their children! But as for you, daughter of Agamemnon! Sadly, softly so that she wont hear him. Too glad to commit the girl to the goddess. Euripides (c.480-c.406 BC) - Iphigenia In Aulis: Translated by George Klytaimestra goes into the tent. I know everything! Ive changed because of my love for my mothers son. This light is the sweetest thing that can fill the eyes! Klytaimestra Ah! I offer my body to my country and to the rest of Greece, willingly. Klytaimestra Odysseus? MENELAOS (Agamemnons brother, King ofSparta), IPHIGENIA (Daughter of Agamemnon and Klytaimestra), ACHILLES (Chief of the Myrmidons, an army), SECOND CHORUS (Men and women ofArgos, attendants to Klytaimestra and Iphigeneia). Listen, mother; hear what thoughts have passed across my mind. In his frenzy, he rushed about the whole ofGreece, calling upon everyone to remember Tyndareus solemn oath and to help him, since he was the wronged husband. If I must then I shall wash away her oracle with my blood, with my sacrifice upon her altar. I want my love for others to be moderate and my desires to be pure. Close suggestions Search Search First Chorus Theyre off to bring back Helen, Menelaos wife, whom Paris, the Trojan cowherd, abducted from her home inSparta, a city built by the reed-covered banks of the river, Eurotas. 1560. Exit Achilles. If this works out well, then the result will be good for you and your family without my getting mixed up in the affair. Her expedition to Troy and its destruction depends upon me. Chorus Let Agamemnon place a crown upon the head of Greece and let him be crowned in turn! Let me tell you of your faults, Agamemnon! You were still the man she loved. Now you know the whole thing. Achilles I told them that if thats what they thought, then they should not kill my intended wife. Klytaimestra But what about the marriage? Oh! Agamemnon You? Later, he becomes so angry that he picks up the wooden frame upon which the scroll rests and throws it violently to the ground. Copyright 2000-2023 A. S. Kline, All Rights Reserved. Iphigeneia But but look at you, father! 303. Vile trickery, unworthy of his father, Atreas! And Helen, Zeus daughter, will shed bitter tears, too, for betraying her husband. You may accept or manage cookie usage at any time. You had come with me to Argos and stayed with me as my servant. Chorus Agamemnon, son of Atreas, begin now your journey to Troy and may it be a happy one! In fact, had he asked me for my permission to use my name for this, I would have given it. Agamemnon I know well about pity I know well who deserves it and who does not and I -I love my children! Theyd love to go precisely because they are mad. Klytaimestra I am not so insensitive, Agamemnon. I shall look elsewhere for friends and help. Oh, this is a terrible thing youre doing! Begging you by his silence. And, they should also swear that they would attack and destroy the land of the wrongdoer by the force of arms, whether his land is Greek or foreign. Enough! You will be away from me for a very long time. Iphigenia At Aulis By Euripides Written 410 B.C.E Dramatis Personae Agamemnon Attendant, an old man Chorus of Women of Chalcis Menelaus Clytaemnestra Iphigenia Achilles Scene The sea-coast at Aulis. And, do I not also have the right to make my own prayer to the gods about you? I wrap its limbs around your knees and beg you: Please father, do not cut off my life short. It was a lie. Last Updated on July 14, 2022, by eNotes Editorial. I cannot defy the goddess demands, my darling. Out of my senses! We also let the horses loose to drink and to graze at a meadow nearby. Exit Achilles. AGAMEMNON Old man, come hither and stand before my dwelling. Godless! Weve been robbed! Agamemnon Where, darling? Let me, instead, save Greece, if I can. He, madam, hes the cause of all your torment, madam. i. Trans. Prepare my sacrifice. The Old Man is angry and tries to take the letter back from him. Dont bother making a long speech about it, husband! There, alongside of them, ran Achilles, Peleas son, in his full armour. It is unjust that you should be mourning while Im living a life full of joy. Chorus And to the feast of the gods and to Bacchus wine-mixing bowl came, too, with spears of fir and with wreaths of green leaves, the troupe of horse-mounted centaurs. What pain should I mention first or second, or last? Good bye. You saw the endless ships. I shall be accompanying our girl with the wedding song. Bring him up to be a man. Old Man Yes, my lady. For a mere woman? Chorus There goes the girl with garlands on her hair and holy water upon her head! Iphigeneia Youre going off on a long journey daddy and youre living me behind! Ultimately, Euripides uses Iphigenia at Aulis to argue that the ancient Greek impulse to revere one's lineage or parentage while effectively ignoring the duty one has to one's living, breathing family is one which creates sadness, discord, anger, and even the impulse for revenge. Klytaimestra bursts into tears. Chorus Awesome is the power of giving birth! No mother, no father. 1200. First Chorus I sped through Artemis woods, a place rich with sacrifices, my youthful shyness blushing my cheeks, anxious to see the armys might, the tents of the Greeks and their countless horses. And you, you will carry the honour of my deed wherever you go! Give you my right hand? If Im right, do the sensible thing and dont kill out darling. Help my girl. What a wonderful excuse! Achilles I did but theyre shouting at me, too! Iphigenia in Aulis is an Ancient Greek play written by Euripides. I wish you could avert it somehow. Is it a good wife youre after? Up there is my final argument. Agamemnon No need to tell me to answer you honestly. Whether they treat me well or appallingly makes no difference to them. Your own baby! Did they not side with you? IPHIGENIA AT AULIS - EURIPIDES | PLAY SUMMARY & ANALYSIS | Sacrifice 710. The sun should rise slowly until full daylight is reached just before line 164. No, youve brought me to life so that the whole of Greece may rejoice! Iphigeneia How wonderful it is to see you again, daddy! Famously, they partnered on Seamus Heaney's "The Burial at Thebes" at the Guthrie in fall 2011. You, girls! Madam, let this sword of mine bear witness to what Im about to say! No one in the world can deny that the act of saving a child is a blessed act. No one was ever born to a life free of misery. Who on earth could force you to murder your own child? Theyre bound to serve someone well, sometime. Are these amazing words the words of a delirious woman? Not mine, thats for sure. Forget your old age and run! And then theres also this: what right do I have to love my life so much? A coward. I had put a wedding wreath on her head and brought her here to be your wife. You havent given birth to me simply for your own sake! She leans before him and embraces his knees. Klytaimestra Sounds ideal to me. I was beaten by all the noise. Chorus A man whose body will be clothed in golden armour, fashioned by Hephaistos himself and given as a gift to him by his divine mother. 1070. They will reach the silvery eddies of the Simois river that runs through Apollos stronghold, the rocky plains ofTroy. Achilles Alone? Messenger My dear lady I shall. Me, father! Tell me! Has the carriage lulled you to sleep? Everyone called Idean because of the Trojan city Idean. Is it marriage? Abominable creature! So angry were my twin brothers, the Dioscuri, that they came charging down from Zeus side on their glistening horses to fight you but you went begging to my old father, Tyndareus and he, not only saved you but made me your wife! Click anywhere in the Well, old man, Menelaos was outraged by this! Now go! Have no fear, the pain will soften with custom and with the passage of time. Palermo, Mus. If any barbarian dared to bring his ships against these hed never see his home again. Chorus There, upon the citys towers and round about its high walls, the Trojan folk will stand when the warriors with their bronze shields bring their ships closer, over the rivers waters, after their long journey over the ocean. Please dont do it! 180. He is barely visible. As for the other sort, the bad ones, they are everywhere! Ha! 70. 'Iphigenia at Aulis' features new works by J.D. Steele, 40-voice choir I am too ashamed to tell you this pitiful story of mine. The looks your face took up at that suggestion! Menelaos No, they can do nothing if you secretly send her back toArgos. Where are we going to set it up? A sensible man usually speaks to others with respect. Agamemnon Sisyphus son, Odysseus, knows our whole story. I shall serve Greece! Calchas. But in an emotional solo scene, she has a vision of the sacrifice. What a sweet joy! This sword will have blood on it even before I leave for Troy! He writes a few words, then scratches them out and begins again.