Ive changed, youll say! I know too well that this awful plight is mine and mine alone you have nothing to do with it 980. Can you not see these men in full armour? Cacoyannis achieved the impossible. Youve persuaded me with wise words. Enough! First Chorus It is wise to be modest because modesty gives you the rare gift of circumspection, the ability to judge what is right, what is your duty; an ability that will give you respect and will remain with you for ever. Shes about to be slaughtered by the hand of her own father! Iphigeneia Damn all these spears of Menelaos! The first one to call you father, the first one you called daughter. Brothers fight because of lust and because of greed in their inheritance. The play provides some backstory to the more well-known classical tales of the Trojan War. Klytaimestra I am not so insensitive, Agamemnon. Shhhh listen to me! Menelaus appears to be the caring brother. Come, go into my tent now. What sort of a welcome do you think youll receive on you return? Dent & Sons, 1920. Because youre trying to save my girl? Orestes is begging you, too! Klytaimestra Go ahead then, speak. I have no one else to turn to, no other friend, no other altar to pray upon. Towards this now, mother turn your thoughts, and with me weigh how well I speak; to me the whole of mighty Hellas looks; on me the passage over the sea depends; on me the sack of Troy; [1380] and in my power it lies to check henceforth barbarian raids on happy Hellas, if ever in the days to come they seek to seize her women, when once they have Achilles Yes, madam and I too, am furious at your husband. 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. He was her lord. Every one of them is just as unbearable! Accept it and let our spears sack the tall towers of Troy!. You, girls! Difficult. By my grand-father, my mothers father, Nereus, who was nurtured by the ocean waves! Agamemnon What you must do is not leave your other daughters alone, back at the house. Where are we going to set it up? You saw the endless ships. Shelley Dean Milman. Chorus Then the Greeks shall tie a garland around your fair hair and stain your human throat with your own blood. Protect us in our terrible misfortune. It is a madness I cannot control. He announced that if we did make that offering to the goddess, we would be able to sail away and we would succeed in sacking the Phrygian capital,Troy; otherwise we would fail. Youre drowning me in misery. What a shocking thing that would be! Chorus You, evil Helen! 370. Klytaimestra A sweet word of love from you? You have declared the girl to be the bride of a goddess son, yet you bring her here to be a sacrificial offering for the benefit of the Greeks! iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me. Menelaos Brothers must share each others pain. IPHIGENIA A T A ULIS presents many problems to the literary and textual critic. Agamemnon That will be his decision. One goddess, Aphrodite, was proud of her insatiable love. Other men may have different views but let me give you my own. The fleet of the war-loving Taphians, with its foaming oars, was commanded by their king, Phyleus son, Meges who had left the Echinae, islands that are far too unwelcoming for sailors. A good man, my brother, must not change his manner just because his life is going well. I want neither to overwhelm you by its excess nor insult you by its timidity. From now on I will live there in that other world. Or else let Menelaos kill Hermione, his own daughter. What a sweet joy! But tell me what I must do. 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! Its going past those seven stars, the Pleiades, my lord straight through the very centre of the heavens. Come, friends, sing with me in praise of the goddess whose temple faces Chalkis, the place where the spears of war are waiting for me in anger! How I wish he never lived at that meadow where all the flowers bloomed: roses and hyacinths, all those flowers that the goddesses plucked. But as for you, daughter of Agamemnon! [1375] See, father? What did you say? This work is licensed under a Dont look at me for that, I cant give you one! When our esteemed prophet, Calchas, conducts his next sacrifice, when he will mingle his barley and his holy water upon the altar, he will pay bitterly for it! They say that Zeus had transformed himself into a bird and then slept with your mother. Wont you cry with me, Orestes? First Chorus Mortals vary in body as well as in mind but true virtue, which comes from a good upbringing and a good education, always stands out. Chorus Agamemnon, son of Atreas, begin now your journey to Troy and may it be a happy one! Where did you catch him? Klytaimestra Really? Klytaimestra Odysseus? 1613. Achilles No, Iphigeneia! If I try to stop them they will kill us all. Soon youll wake up a happy young man, my son. No mother, no father. The gods do strange things, madam, things that baffle us mortals but they save those they love. He married Thetis, Nereus daughter. November 1, 2021 . Euripides died before completing this late masterpiece and it was prepared for its enthusiastically received first performance by his son or nephew. 1010. Step gently down, onto the earth. Is it marriage? Related Characters: The Old Man (speaker), Agamemnon , Clytemnestra Related Themes: Greece is lucky to have you as one of her daughters I envy her and I envy you because you are lucky to have Greece as your mother. Oh, what a joy it is to see you, Iphigeneia! He said that it must be done if the expedition is ever to make it to, Klytaimestra Expedition? Klytaimestra Why? Youll fight them all? i. Trans. 164. Too glad to commit the girl to the goddess. Oh, my sweet daughter! Menelaos Who gave me the right? Gone! Weddings are blessed things but still very tough on the hearts of the brides parents. Chorus Enjoy now the sacrifice of blood and then help the Greek army launch its expedition to the land of the Phrygians, Troy the treacherous! It has burdened me with lack of sleep and with overactive eyes. If the sons of Atreas practice honesty then I shall obey them but if they dont, rest assured, madam that Ill defy them. First Chorus The right wing of this naval force was taken up by the fifty swift ships of the war-loving Myrmidons from Phthia. I know what you want to do to me Go on! Agamemnon Look, the sacrificial ceremony is ready. Agamemnon My child, why are you crying? The young heifers that will be sacrificed and that will deliver their abundant dark blood to the goddess Artemis are ready. But Iphigenia, having determined to die nobly on behalf of the Greeks, was snatched away by the Goddess, and a stag substituted in her place. You, grandchild of Aeacus you, too Ledas daughter, stay! [1340] Open the tent-door to me, servants, that I may hide myself Clytemnestra Why seek to escape, my child? He was the one responsible for that job. I have my army, the famous Myrmidons, wasting their time hanging about the quiet waters ofEpirus, getting angrier and more impatient by the minute. Do you think that I, son of Atreas the fearless, will be afraid to raise my eyes and look at you in the eye? The very last thing you do. Cover the baby with one of your cloaks. Please dont do it! Iphigenia calling into the tent. She gives up the most precious gift she can: her life. Look there! Tears that come about from making our daughter a bride to Achilles. From Kahil (1990). How should I start? The play was set in the small amphitheater at the Getty Villa. He managed to film a Greek tragedy to screen without losing its effectiveness and importance. Poor, poor child! Theyre all just sitting idly around by the shore. Iphigenia in Aulis is an Attic, or Greek, tragedy composed by Euripides (circa 480-406 BCE). 940. 260. Well, Helen, unfortunately, old man, chose Menelaos! Out here, in front of the tent! Our friend here should certainly be thanked for his efforts but we should be careful not to put his life in jeopardy against the army with no advance in our predicament. First Chorus Come, children of Chalkis, let us go and give the Argive Queen our gentle and firm hand to help her step down safely from her carriage and let us look welcoming towards Agamemnons glorious daughter lest she be afraid of having arrived here at this place and at this time; and let us also make sure that the Argive women feel no distress or concern for being strangers in a strange place. Im angry because King Agamemnon has insulted me so gravely. First Chorus There you were, Paris: a man brought up to be a cowherd, looking after the grazing, white cows of Ida with their heavy udders, playing Asian tunes in your reedy pipes, airs much like those Trojan songs from Mount Olympus when, suddenly, you had to judge between three goddesses; and it was this judging that has sent you to Helens ivory palace in Hellas. With blessings or with force? And then theres also this: what right do I have to love my life so much? Old Man A slave. The Plot of Iphigeneia at Aulis. You talk about my ambition. Iphigeneia Mother, Im too ashamed to face Achilles. Klytaimestra Oh, Gods! I am forced to do it! employee value proposition model; 10 minute virtual bike ride; application for head of school; dawnelle 120'' wide velvet symmetrical modular sectional with ottoman Helen, the sister of the Heaven-dwelling twins, the Dioscuri. After you have gone gone away on your expedition and you have left me here, alone in the house -and alone for a long time, our darling daughters chair empty her bedroom empty -what sort of heart do you think will be beating in my breast? iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me2825 airview blvd kalamazoo, mi 49002. Why are you leaving? Now the strength rests with Irreverence and Virtue is now scorned by the mortals. It is a glory that will never wither in the minds of the Greeks. Clytemnestra and Iphigenia try to So, tell me, my brother: What is all this violent fury? Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system. Oh! So, we have all gathered here and here we are still, tied down by the weather! All the women are frightened and turn towards it. A god or a mortal? Ah, but this impudence of yours will miss its mark! You may accept or manage cookie usage at any time. A coward. I can see that youre angry at your husband but I think youre wrong about that. Chorus Hell be able to confirm the messengers words. 420, The soldiers talk and they ask questions. Whos done you wrong and what is it that you want? Begging you by his silence. Klytaimestra Well? His wifes doing, so, let him kill his wifes daughter. I no longer want to be your enemy. 1250. 128. Paris! CLYTEMNESTRA Now hear me, for my thoughts will I unfold In no obscure and coloured mode of speech. He gains control of the scroll. She is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra . Daughter of Tyndareus! Words escape me! . I offer my body to my country and to the rest of Greece, willingly. Tell me! The choruses "Que d'attraits" and "Non, jamais, jamais aux regards" are full of grace. But wholl carry the bridal torch? Menelaos If you dont let go of it I shall crack your skull open with this staff! The most interesting alteration for me is that at the end of the play it seems that Artemis had replaced Iphigenia with a deer. There is no need! Agamemnon, her father will sacrifice her to the goddess Artemis. Oh, this is a terrible thing youre doing! Tell me, Agamemnon: Tell me what will you say to someone who asks you why youve killed your daughter? Its been such a long time! 1031. Agamemnon Where, darling? The play is co-produced by the Court Theatre of Chicago, directed by Charles Newell, and translated by Nicholas Rudall. Why are you arguing with this man? What do they want to do with you? One of the myths in the Cypria inspired the tragedy Iphigenia in Aulis, written by Euripides (ca. Do not send our daughter here, inAulis, the place whose harbours are well protected from the harsh seas and which juts out towardsColchis. Those two had hair the colour of fire and were spotted from below the ankles of their great hooves. They live at a place, darling, where I wish Paris, Priams son, never lived! May it be with you always, for helping the unfortunate! How dare you! Klytaimestra Dear Achilles! Agamemnon Sure, that I can certainly do secretly but theres something else, brother; something I cannot hide. Iphigeneia at Aulis. He writes a few words, then scratches them out and begins again. 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. What destruction! I am too ashamed to tell you this pitiful story of mine. 210, First Chorus The two horses in the centre, those that took the weight of the yoke, were dappled with spots of white; the two on the outside carried the traces and they had to negotiate the turns on the track. Husband, I know the prospective grooms name but I know little about his family or his country. Protect your name. The Iphigenia at Aulis Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. 1300. Old Man How can you say such a thing, my lord? Shelley Dean Milman. You were only too glad to take up that offer! We also let the horses loose to drink and to graze at a meadow nearby. Only the two choruses are now present. And it was with this lie, about the girls mock-marriage, that I tried to persuade my wife to bring her here. Agamemnon This is scandalous! The Chorus turns in the direction of the scream and responds! Klytaimestra Im not surprised you dont recognise me. Klytaimestra Whats wrong? What can I possibly say now? What a wonderful excuse! Old Man The priest, my lady. Run! 500. Shelley Dean Milman. The Watchman, whose . Why run away? And how can I be certain that this isnt just an idle little story to cheer me up, to ease my dreadful grief for you? He, madam, hes the cause of all your torment, madam. Now let go of my letter! Here, father, here is the body of a suppliant! 190. How could I ever speak the truth now? What, youll be performing a mothers duties now? Sadly, softly so that she wont hear him. Next to him was Myriones, son of Ares, a marvel to all men and Odysseus, Laertes son, who came from the hills of his island,Ithaca. Klytaimestra May they be happy there! Iphigenia at Aulis Review I attended Iphigenia in Aulis at the Getty Villa on Thursday, September 21 at 8:00 PM. Returned soldiers emerge as protagonists in Pierre-Michel Tremblay's Au Champ de Mars, Hannah Moscovitch's This Is War, and George F. Walker's Dead Metaphor while Evan Webber and Frank Cox-O'Connell Little Iliad deals with a soldier about to be dispatched to Afghanistan. Achilles I do, my lady and I can see its a horrible thing for you to endure. First Chorus Diomedes, too, was there amusing himself, throwing a discus. Menelaos Why is that? Please lend me your arms, so that I may get down from the seat of this carriage modestly. To Dardanos house, in Troy, to bring back Menelaos wife, Helen. Achilles Ah! But, alas, the road was long, my lord and so the women are now having a rest by the refreshing waters of a spring. Horrible Fate, what a dreadful yoke youve locked me into! He has used my name without my permission! Agamemnon Nods, then looks around him. Yes, you, daughter of the long-necked swan! First Chorus What an awful thing it is for brothers whose views differ to come to insults! 27. This masterful play is masterfully adapted for the screen and brought to life by a wonderful cast. View a map of the most frequently mentioned places in this document. Then Talthybius stood up amongst them all and told them to be silent. Dire to me because it brought about my death. If Im lying to you, madam, then let death come upon me. If I must then I shall wash away her oracle with my blood, with my sacrifice upon her altar. Ill obey your every command. She will be begging me, my sweet young girl! On thy knees I hang, A suppliant wreath, this body, which she bore She has flown away to the Heavens! But they cant, my darling daughter. What do you think I and the rest of your family will feel towards you? 919. Klytaimestra And kept his promise by bringing her here, to you, all the way from Argos! iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to meemerald sea vessel mcdermott. Iphigeneia She runs her fingers gently through her mothers hair. Agamemnon approaches Iphigeneia and tries to console her. You are indeed a brave, noble person, Iphigeneia and for that reason I want you to be my wife. 389. Chorus Go, young girl! Details. The only voice I have, father, my only skill, is in my tears and, here, father, Im giving them to you! Lets not have the common tongues wag against us. 70. Forget your old age and run! Chorus And their call to the Nereid was loud and clear: 1061. Only your knees. Her expedition to Troy and its destruction depends upon me. Menelaos Yes, but an unstable mind is an evil thing, something which befuddles the minds of ones friends. I have tried desperately to send Klytaimestra away from here but Ive failed. No, its not me whos gone mad, brother but you. Menelaos First, look at me in the eye and then Ill tell you! It is unjust that you should be mourning while Im living a life full of joy. She swings him, sadly, gently back and forth and leans over him as she speaks to him. Open navigation menu. Tell me what it is you want, now. Klytaimestra What? Please, father! Achilles No, my lady, dont call your daughter out to see me. 20. 9.1", "denarius"). I acted like a stupid child before but now I thought more deeply about what its really like to kill your own children. Exit Agamemnon. For such a young girl you are so intelligent! Chorus What an awful, pitiful fate you must endure, child! Iphigenia I am ashamed to face Achilles. Mother, no! 1200. Otherwise why should we bother being just? Agamemnon And now its my turn to criticise you but, no, I wont do so in some arrogant, contemptuous way, with my eyes looking down on you but I shall do so in a conciliatory, brotherly way. Bring him up to be a man. 240, First Chorus Their emblem was the goddess, Palas Athena, standing on a chariot pulled by winged horses, an emblem that pleased and encouraged the sailors. I wrap its limbs around your knees and beg you: Please father, do not cut off my life short. Leaders are but slaves to the common folk. 290. I told her to bring our daughter here so that she may marry Achilles. See this letter, this contemptible letter with the contemptible message inside it? 1080. I had put a wedding wreath on her head and brought her here to be your wife. For a moment a great deal of shouting by men is heard behind the curtains. These ships, too, were adorned with emblems at their high sterns, this time of Cadmus, holding a golden serpent in his hands. With what face shall I receive hers? This breath that quieted the breezes in the Greek sails! And how is it that you, a woman, is here, where the whole army of the Greek men and their shields is gathered? Then the priest lets out a huge roar and the whole army roared with him as they saw the most unbelievable sight, a sight that must have been sent by Heaven, a sight that made them question their very eyes. First Chorus We saw him, racing in full armour upon the shells of the shore, in a contest against a chariot pulled by a team of four horses, a contest out of which he came victorious. How full of torment is life for us ephemeral creatures! Iphigenia in Aulis (a.k.a. Chorus With what joy the Muses pounded the earth with their gold-sandaled feet as they climbed the mountain side to get to the wedding! Its true, my lady that there are times when it is more pleasant to avoid excessive wisdom and there are times when wisdom is helpful but I, madam, I was raised in the house of Chiron, a centaur who respected the simple ways, the honest ways. Youve come to your death you and me also! Klytaimestra But it is rightfully yours, Achilles! Dont force me to become evil! Iphigenia has arrived in Aulis, and soon the army will be demanding her death. Agamemnon My thoughts exactly, my darling. I clasp your knees without shame! Klytaimestra Unfortunate, Achilles, yes, that is true! Dear women of Argos, this death, my death, this sacrifice to Artemis, will speed the Greeks to Troy and bring honour to the Greeks. Dance, girls, dance around Artemis altar! Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License. Agamemnon It will take place at the most propitious time: When the moon completes its cycle again. Give me your hand, my dear child. And I shall here where the groom is, I shall. Old Man Tries to take the letter from Menelaos. Iphigenia at Aulis was first performed in 405 B.C.E., the year after Euripides' death. No, dont bury your face inside your cloak! Achilles! Hide browse bar 910. 1121. Achilles Slave to whom? It seems that the generals do as they please with me. Agamemnon Yes, my darling. Agamemnon Thank goodness youre out here, Ledas daughter. CLYTEMNESTRA: Now hear me, for my thoughts will I unfold In no obscure and coloured mode of speech. 860. First Chorus The left flank of the Greek armada ended with the twelve trim and fast ships, led byAjaxwhose birthplace isSalamis. Agamemnon He lives in Phthia, by the river Apidanus. Klytaimestra A cold hope, that one, Achilles. Chorus Your words are worthy of you, Achilles and of your mother who is a splendid goddess. I have left Pharsalia and Peleas, my father, to come here. Old Man Yes, my lady and so, I am more loyal to you than I am to your husband. Chiron, they cried out, Chiron who knows well the meaning of Apollos words, foretells that youll give Thessaly a son, a boy wholl be its brightest light. Commentary. Achilles Who? 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. Iphigeneia How wonderful it is to see you again, daddy! He has abandoned me to deal with this dreadful calamity all on my own! Iphigeneia Of course. Unjustly but I must! Dawns light is already being taken over by the fire of the Suns brilliant chariot! Iphigeneias scream of grief is suddenly heard from within the tent. And thats why the whole ofGreecerose up in arms with great fervour. It is for Hellas that I am forced to sacrifice you. The play was produced in a trilogy that also included The Bacchae and was presented by Euripides' son or nephew. Agamemnon The entire Greek army, Menelaos! The moment we got there with your daughter all the Greek soldiers gathered around us. Are you still sleeping my baby? Should you not be expecting a poisonous welcome since youre departing like a snake? Promise me that you wont cut even a strand of your hair in mourning nor wear black! The single men have left their houses empty and uncared for and the married ones have left their wives and children behind. It was upon the forests of Trojan Ida, its woods covered thickly by the shroud of snow where King Priam once abandoned his child boy, Paris. Iphigenia in Aulis has been added to your Cart . The King feared the prophets words that the boy would grow up to destroy him him and his city and so he tore the baby away from its mothers arms and cast him on the mountainside, hoping that he would die. Finally, my old friend, he came upon the answer. Iphigeneia Im not afraid to say this in front of everyone: Helen, Tyndareus daughter, has caused wars and the endless spilling of blood because of her body. I want to marry you, to take you to my home and to protect you. He is barely visible. Menelaos Useless when you need them and a curse when you dont. But I see a letter in your hand. First Chorus Once there, a maddened gaze of love from each of you had sent you both into Eros confusion and sent Greece to Troy with strife-searching ships and spears. Leave! Figure 2.3: Iphigenia being dragged toward the altar for sacrifice, 91 430-420 BCE. But why girl? Why do I not call her a woman? Will she not be made Hades bride soon? I saw you trying to write it by the light of that lamp there. First Chorus Oh, Lady, goddess of love, Aphrodite! Iphigenia's mother Clytemnestra is also determined to save her. Im coming, my lord Im coming! Exit Achilles. Achilles Yes. Od. ("Agamemnon", "Hom. Agamemnon The heir was Peleas. Your own baby! Listen! You, Paris, you son of Priam! To the lowly and weak mortals, the fortunate always appear like gods. She goes to the door of the tent and opens it so that the servant may hear her. Klytaimestra I know well that you are an old servant of my house. No fancy, confusing words for you. I envy the man with the quiet life, the safe life. The returned soldier has been a central figure in the first wave of Canadian plays to deal with the War in Afghanistan. materials crossword clue 9 letters. The future of our Greek women rests upon my actions. AGAMEMNON Old man, come hither and stand before my dwelling. Achilles Words, logic, can fight off fear. My friend, neither kill nor be killed because of me. You, too, Menelaos, get everything ready for this joyous occasion and lets hear the flutes sing and the dancers pound the earth with their feet. 1040. Achilles Yes. First Chorus Our husbands told us they are all gathered here, under the helm of Agamemnon and his fair haired brother, Menelaos, noblemen both, preparing to launch an expedition againstTroy. How can I insult all those countless brave warriors and their shields, all those myriads of men, clasping hard at the oars men with courage enough to attack our enemy and die for our country, to clear her name?