. I will never permit your husband to perform such treacherous deeds! Ah, there he is! Me, Leda's daughter, hapless dame, First blooming offspring of her bed. Weve never met before. Im very pleased that you, too, honour the goddess Modesty, Achilles! Chorus Alas! I, being Menelaos brother and for his own good, was chosen by them to be their leader How I wish this honour were given to someone else, my old friend! Tell me! Chorus Go, young girl! Gone! Ive also missed you! Do you think that I, son of Atreas the fearless, will be afraid to raise my eyes and look at you in the eye? Only fools would pray to go down there. You have betrayed your own brother! Second Messenger Klytaimestra! The Prologue of Iphigenia at Aulis - JSTOR They were sitting together on stools, joyfully immersed in a game of draughts, a game full of complex moves. He is the very reason you are here! The trilogy won first prize at the City Dionysia at Athens. Hell be the man wholl take his army of spear-loving Myrmidons and turn Priams city into rubble. 1540. You, girls! IPHIGENIA Had I, my father, the persuasive voice Of Orpheus, and his skill to charm the rocks Does no one speak against it? Hold on! The only voice I have, father, my only skill, is in my tears and, here, father, Im giving them to you! I shall speak clearly for you. You will be away from me for a very long time. Death is a dreadful thing! I wonder who her groom is. 430. Iphigenia in Aulis | PDF - Scribd Od. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. I have a greater right to speak than he does! It would be shameful if Agamemnon saw me touching whats not rightfully mine! On the stern of his ships was an emblem portraying the riverAlpheus, his neighbour, who, on that emblem was given four feet and made to look like a bull. At one point he is satisfied with what hes written, seals it with his ring but then, a moment later, he scratches away the seal and re-reads the letter. Klytaimestra Dear Achilles! See this letter, this contemptible letter with the contemptible message inside it? Faithful, devoted, temperate in nuptial duties, a good keeper of your house. Achilles, initially, vows to defend Iphigenia. Let me make it absolutely clear, my lady: I was there and I saw it with my own eyes! Rolls her hand gently through her own hair. And thats why the whole ofGreecerose up in arms with great fervour. Because the workings of your mind always have been, are now and always will be, deceitful. Current location in this text. Pronunciation of iphigenia in aulis with 1 audio pronunciations. Why should you be the only one to offer our child as a victim to the altar? 1380. 340. What is it that I need to hear alone, out here? My home! Menelaos First, look at me in the eye and then Ill tell you! London: J.M. Let me tell you of your faults, Agamemnon! What, youll be performing a mothers duties now? You had come with me to Argos and stayed with me as my servant. iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me. The goddess son. 370. Then he placed a garland upon the girls head and sprinkled holy water on her hair. 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 Look there! Agamemnon Yes, I see it and, before you start youd better hand it back to me! Old Man No, madam! Consistently, Agamemnon Nods, then looks around him. Old Man Dear Fortune, help my brain to save those I love. 785, Chorus Do you hear them, Helen? Chorus Where has the strength of your face gone? Achilles Whos that? Agamemnon Wife, we should consider ourselves very much blessed. Klytaimestra Falls down and clasps Achilles knees. I must go. Your father has gone, my darling and abandoned you to Hades! My sacrifice will bring about a victory for the Greeks and secure their safety. line to jump to another position: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License, Pleiades ancient places geospacial dataset for this text, http://data.perseus.org/citations/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg018.perseus-eng1:1374-1401, http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg018.perseus-eng1, http://data.perseus.org/texts/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg018, http://data.perseus.org/catalog/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0006.tlg018.perseus-eng1. Copyright 2000-2023 A. S. Kline, All Rights Reserved. Achilles Yes. You have chosen logic and good intentions to that of continuing a war against Fate and against Necessity. And, do I not also have the right to make my own prayer to the gods about you? Difficult. Klytaimestra What I should be doing as a mother- is to be the one who gives Iphigeneia, my daughter, away to her groom. Klytaimestra Ill certainly try that if thats the last thing I do! Mother, no! You must expect to suffer as well as rejoice, since you're a man. Come, then, Lord Agamemnon, make a start on the celebrations. London: J.M. Were working on it right now. 660. Klytaimestra My question is nothing but reasonable. You are the cause of it! My life, mummy, my life has been saved! Let that act be what Ill be remembered by. i. Trans. Every one of them is just as unbearable! The most interesting alteration for me is that at the end of the play it seems that Artemis had replaced Iphigenia with a deer. I am forced to do it! Just before Dawn. Iphigeneia begins towards the tent but is stopped by her father. Step gently down, onto the earth. 1191. Klytaimestra I am Klytaimestra, Ledas daughter and Agamemnons wife. You just cant imagine Calchas joy, madam! Iphigeneia Stop! These are wicked pleasures for a wicked man! Ah, but this impudence of yours will miss its mark! 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. 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! She has accepted this offering gladly and has granted us a safe journey for our expedition against Troy. And it was with this lie, about the girls mock-marriage, that I tried to persuade my wife to bring her here. Achilles Weighty words, old man! Ha! 751. Abominable creature! 180. Klytaimestra Oh, Gods! Listen, mother; hear what thoughts have passed across my mind. How full of torment is life for us ephemeral creatures! Iphigeneia hugs her mother. Youll fight them all? 480-406 BC) and being performed in the Outdoor Theater at the Getty Villa from September 7 to 30. First Chorus The right wing of this naval force was taken up by the fifty swift ships of the war-loving Myrmidons from Phthia. Ha! See what troubles the gods have thrown at me, the poor wretch? Iphigenia at Aulis Review I attended Iphigenia in Aulis at the Getty Villa on Thursday, September 21 at 8:00 PM. What has brought on all this anxiety? Klytaimestra And you will abandon your mother like this? Klytaimestra Our other daughters are looked after well and they are safe in their quarters. Agamemnon Neither. No, its not me whos gone mad, brother but you. Pause. That light, this light all around us, will cut all other arguments to pieces. Old Man To stop you By then he had come back to his senses. Agamemnon! It is the wish of the Heavens. Whos done you wrong and what is it that you want? Achilles You must grab her and not let go of her. Youll be back inArgos, taking care of our other daughters. 691. She reminds him of how they used to plan her future and tells him how much she wants to live. I am going to go and speak with your husband. Iphigeneia Whats wrong, daddy? 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. Let me tell you why I am angry. It seems that the generals do as they please with me. You used to ask me, I wonder, my darling, will I get to see you married one day, married and settled happily in your husbands home, your life ever blossoming, making me proud of you? And Id touch your chin, my father, hang from your beard, father, like Im doing now and say, and what about you, father, will I get to see you, father, an old man, visiting me at my house, ready for me to repay you for your hard work in raising me?, No, you dont remember these words, father. 272. A safe return? 43. Helen, the sister of the Heaven-dwelling twins, the Dioscuri. I shall obey your directions. First Chorus The left flank of the Greek armada ended with the twelve trim and fast ships, led byAjaxwhose birthplace isSalamis. A coward. Achilles Then listen to me carefully, madam so that well achieve our aim. Or else, we might as well call Mount Sipylus, the Asian city where his barbarous ancestors came from a great city and wipe out of our mind the name of Phthia! It is our custom to bury sacrificial offerings. Klytaimestra Yes. Yes, you, daughter of the long-necked swan! The Greek army is getting ready to sail. A kiss to remember you by in the underworld, since my words have not convinced you. 27. Iphigenia O mother that bore me! I swear by my mother, the goddess Thetis, that I shall fight the Greeks to save you! Youd greet anyone and everyone, hoping with this behaviour to gain their approval and thus become their leader. I, the destroyer of Priams city and its people! 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. Its not proper for young girls to be in the public eye for too long. Achilles Words, logic, can fight off fear. He goes to the tent and shouts through its door. Iphigenia in Aulis is an Attic, or Greek, tragedy composed by Euripides (circa 480-406 BCE). 543. We also let the horses loose to drink and to graze at a meadow nearby. Agamemnon This is scandalous! Over the centuries other hands have contributed to the text we now have but even so for the most part it shows Euripides at his finest. Clytemnestra It is the goddess' son you see, child, for whom you came here. 670. Let no Greek touch my body with his hand. Iphigenia at Aulis was first performed in 405 B.C.E., the year after Euripides' death. Klytaimestra Well? 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! IPHIGENIA Had I, my father, the persuasive voice Of Orpheus, and his skill to charm the rocks To follow me, and soothe whome'er I please With winning words, I would make trial of it; But I have nothing to present thee now Save tears, my only eloquence; and those I can present thee. Agamemnon He lives in Phthia, by the river Apidanus. You groan but you say nothing. Summary. Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances : Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide: Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data: ComiXology He, madam, hes the cause of all your torment, madam. Klytaimestra Will anyone come to take her away? Iphigeneia Artemis altar will be my grave. Women, help her. 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. Only your knees. If he doesn't go through with the sacrifice, the army will rise up, sacrifice her, and kill their entire family. / Malvaux > Non class > iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me / 15.02.22 iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me . Oh, your poor cheeks, your poor beautiful, golden hair, your youthful breasts! I cannot defy the goddess demands, my darling. If any barbarian dared to bring his ships against these hed never see his home again. This is the first English edition with commentary of the play since 1891. Agamemnon An eloquent covering of a shameful act! Chorus And there it was that Dardanos poured the heavenly nectar into the deep golden cups of the gods. One goddess, Aphrodite, was proud of her insatiable love. Agamemnon I would, but some god has made both you andGreeceinsane! Come out here immediately! Klytaimestra Come, come, old man! From Kahil (1990). Klytaimestra What is it? Let someone go and prepare the sacrificial basket and may the blessed fire burn high with the purifying barley. He gains control of the scroll. Give you my right hand? Then thats the end, my sweetheart! Its good that the children will be spared. Figure 2.1: A possible sacrifice (Iphigenia or Polyxena). Think about your daughter for once, Agamemnon and make a fair proposal to your army: Ask them all if they really want to go to Troy and if they do, well then, let them draw lots that will include their own children also! Look here, father! Figure 2.2: Black-figure lekythos showing Iphigenia 89 led to the altar, c. 470 BCE. Effie (Sophie Melville) is a hard-nosed . PDF STUDY GUIDE - Court Theatre Please, father! Out of my senses! 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. The whole of Greece. Old Man anxiously takes Klytaimestras hand and kisses it. He was the one responsible for that job. Click anywhere in the Im giving you my tears! The whole thing is a game played by the heavens! They live at a place, darling, where I wish Paris, Priams son, never lived! Christoph Willibald Gluck: Overture to "Iphigenia in Aulis" (orch. My country! No, mother, let one of daddys servants accompany me to Artemis woods, the place where I shall be sacrificed. CLYTEMNESTRA: Now hear me, for my thoughts will I unfold In no obscure and coloured mode of speech. Iphigenia at Aulis (the title is sometimes rendered as Iphigenia in Aulis) has been criticised for its melodrama, but its portrayal of the central character's decision to agree to renounce her life for the 'greater good', and Agamemnon's ambivalence about sacrificing his own daughter, make it a curious and satisfying play which repays close analysis . But, my brother, we can do nothing now but go on with the bloody murder of my darling daughter. Can I not mourn my daughters loss? November 1, 2021 . The news spread quickly and so the whole army already knows that your daughter has arrived. It is a bitter thing for a father to take, a father who has worked hard but who must send his daughters away away to another household. He managed to film a Greek tragedy to screen without losing its effectiveness and importance. Agamemnon Youll be able to see the sacrifice. How could I possibly express my gratitude to you in a modest way? I know what you want to do to me Go on! Are you still sleeping my baby? Exit Achilles. Tell me what plan I should adopt! What will you ask the gods to grant you as your knife cuts through your daughters throat? 1580. Menelaos Act according to your position, or youll be very sorry, old man! But, alas, the road was long, my lord and so the women are now having a rest by the refreshing waters of a spring. Cacoyannis achieved the impossible. 620. This surely is nothing more than drivel spat out of the mouth of a mad old man! Klytaimestra I know well that you are an old servant of my house. Am I not allowed to manage the affairs of my own home, in my own way, now? The Old Man is angry and tries to take the letter back from him. Tell me what it is you want, now. Iphigeneia Youre going off on a long journey daddy and youre living me behind! Iphigenia I am ashamed to face Achilles. I want no one to lose tears over my grave. Come, son of a goddess! Euripides (c.480-c.406 BC) - Iphigenia In Aulis: Translated by George Menelaos Brothers must share each others pain. The more I hold you in my arms the more the tears rush to my eyes. What a wonderful excuse! In fact, had he asked me for my permission to use my name for this, I would have given it. Iphigenia has arrived in Aulis, and soon the army will be demanding her death. But I see a letter in your hand. Klytaimestra But Achilles, think again! Pleas or no pleas the result will be the same with me because I have only one thing in mind, now: to save you both from this disaster! My hair! Hell grab her by her blond hair, if he has to and. Still, if I fail? I shall serve Greece! What is all this loud brawling in front of my tent? Go inside now! I was not going to slaughter my own daughter, old man! Chorus There goes the girl wholl soon stain the altar of the murderous goddess with the gushing blood of her beautiful throat! No, it will not be necessary. Messenger Agamemnon, leader of all the Greeks! Not a sound to be heard anywhere, old man! They should bring you great joy after such a long absence from your home. Perseus provides credit for all accepted 550. Klytaimestra You? Its obvious that theres no escaping my death; so now, I want to die nobly. What pain should I mention first or second, or last? Let us pray for a good fortune! You talk about my ambition. Klytaimestra You, alone? 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. Iphigenia in Aulis: A Monologue Pensively, anxiously. 1613. Im leaving for another world! Whats in your mind, this time, my lord Agamemnon? Iphigenia (1977) - Iphigenia (1977) - User Reviews - IMDb Klytaimestra A sweet word of love from you? Achilles Alone? Iphigeneia Youve been so long here in the harbours ofAulis! Achilles Who? Your voice has horrified me! And so, the Greeks ordered you to let them board their ships and go back home and to stop wasting their efforts here. Agamemnon Are you, darling? What a disgraceful behaviour! It will be a long time before I return from Troy, a long time before I greet you again. It is what a mother must do! It was your name, Achilles that has brought us to this misfortune, so protect it now. Klytaimestra who was married to whom? And if only Zeus had not breathed his contrary wind upon Euripus, this wind that stopped this expedition from leaving for Troy! Leave! 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. First Chorus And fast-footed Achilles, too, whose feet fly faster than the wind. 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 Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 390). Youve done all you could to help your big sister, havent you? A black Fate for all three of us! Agamemnon It will take place after I make the sacrifice. Dance around the temple of the blessed goddess! Forget it, madam! 1080. You will be doing so to a man whos loyal and faithful to you. iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me 04.07.2022 04.07.2022 Iphigeneia Mother, Im too ashamed to face Achilles. Old Man But, surely, my lord, surely it is there, in the trappings of office and power, that we find pleasure! 1031. Iphigeneia Father! Agamemnon Yes, my darling. Klytaimestra Will he try and come here and drag my darling away, just like that, against her will? Old Man Yes, my lady and so, I am more loyal to you than I am to your husband. And this, my lady, this is no lie, believe me! Exit Achilles. LibriVox This work may be freely reproduced, stored and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose. Too glad to commit the girl to the goddess. Then Agamemnon came to me and ordered me to come here and tell you what Fate the gods have granted to your daughter. He has abandoned me to deal with this dreadful calamity all on my own! If you really want to do something againstTroythen do it, or else just take us all back home. Youve raised me to be the shining light of Greece. What does your Iphigeneia have to do with my Helen? He was her lord. Holy Spirit of mine! Then Achilles, Peleas son, took the golden basket and the holy water in his hands and ran around the goddess altar, chanting. 1531. Klytaimestra But what about the marriage? Poor, poor child! A nanny is holding the baby Orestes in her arms. Good bye. 1279. We cant go on fighting against Necessity! Chorus Agamemnon, son of Atreas, begin now your journey to Troy and may it be a happy one! Your fathers holy water is waiting for you! Which of your children will dare even look at you? Chorus What a delightful wedding song was sung while the Lybian flute played on the day that Thetis and Peleas married! 70. Now go! Your current position in the text is marked in blue. An introduction to a classic play. Chorus Oh, I hope Ill never see the day, nor should my children nor my grand children, should see the day when I suffer the torture that the golden Lydian women will suffer, the wives of those Trojan men, who will be suffering when, years later, working at their looms theyd be talking of this! Come, disband the army and leaveAulismy brother and stop your tears and mine! Help us, Achilles! Oh, my sweet daughter! Chorus And so the Greek ships will sail. The very last thing you do. I envy the man with the quiet life, the safe life. Menelaos And what aboutGreece? It is improper for tears to be shed during holy rites. So this is the armada I saw here and about which I had heard back home earlier. Old Man You should not have opened this letter! Can you pronounce this word better. Menelaos I swear, Agamemnon, by our father, Atreas and by our grandfather Pelops that I will tell you the truth plainly and clearly, just as I feel it in my heart and as I know it in my mind. But in an emotional solo scene, she has a vision of the sacrifice. Eloquence, brother, begets hatred! Not mine, thats for sure. Iphigenia and Clytemnestra come to Aulis, and are received with acclamations by the Greeks. Agamemnon There! 1100. IPHIGENIA: Had I, my father, the persuasive voice Of Orpheus, and his skill to charm the rocks To follow me, and soothe whome'er I please With winning words, I would make trial of it; But I have nothing to present thee now Save tears, my only eloquence; and those I can present thee. He said that it must be done if the expedition is ever to make it to, Klytaimestra Expedition? Oh! You know the dread that Agamemnon has brought upon us. 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. Thank you, my sweet daughter! Miserable, Agamemnon says he has no choice. Old Man He tricked you about the marriage with Achilles, my lady, so that youd be willing to come here. Then seiz'd and sever'd me from those I lov'd, And wrench'd with iron grasp the beauteous bands. Second Chorus They are the offspring of a great and most fortunate family. Some members of the chorus rush about her, placing garlands on her hair and sprinkling water upon her head. Iphigenia begs her father not to kill her. Iphigenia in Aulis Summary - eNotes.com He married Thetis, Nereus daughter. 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. A terrible love." Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis tags: euripides , greek-tragedy , iphigenia-at-aulis , power , power-hungry 11 likes Like Klytaimestra May joy be with you for ever, Achilles. employee value proposition model; 10 minute virtual bike ride; application for head of school; dawnelle 120'' wide velvet symmetrical modular sectional with ottoman Agamemnon Menelaos! 90. Daddy, do you want to kill me? Ill obey your every command. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis, line 1338 - Perseus Project The whole Greek army, Klytaimestra, thats who! Her expedition to Troy and its destruction depends upon me. Not before I tell all the Greeks what it says! Be careful of one thing, Menelaos: Be careful when youre walking among the men not to let Klytaimestra find out anything about the sacrifice; at least not until after Ive sent my daughter to Hades. Calchas. There, my lady, there, upon the ground, lay a large animal, a beautiful stag, letting out its last breaths. Im angry because King Agamemnon has insulted me so gravely. 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. Menelaus appears to be the caring brother. Think nothing of it! Palermo, Mus. By your chin, Achilles, by your right hand and by your mother, stand by us! Then Achilles, Peleas son, took the golden basket and the holy water in his hands and ran around the goddess altar, chanting 1570. 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. 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. By the goddess Hera, protector ofArgosand of marriage, I shall not do so! Agamemnon Of course you do so long as you dont try to ruin them! It is a madness I cannot control. In front of the tent is a small table at which sits Agamemnon. 720. Then the priest took hold of the sword and, after a few words of prayer, began searching the girls neck looking for the best place to strike. Old Man Old age! Thats what Im afraid of! Not from any birds, not from the sea and not from any of the winds that rule over the waters between us andEpirus Total silence! By my grand-father, my mothers father, Nereus, who was nurtured by the ocean waves! What do they want to do with you? How much suffering, how much pain has Helen, Tyndareus daughter, brought upon us, upon the children of Danaus! What do you think I and the rest of your family will feel towards you? If this works out well, then the result will be good for you and your family without my getting mixed up in the affair. Agamemnon Yes, so you see what sort of a man your future son-in-law is! For use by any theatrical, educational or cinematic organisation, however, including a non-commercial one, permission must be sought. Agamemnon Sure, that I can certainly do secretly but theres something else, brother; something I cannot hide. Chorus And they will surround the cityPergamum, all about its stone towers with murderous war-men wholl smash the heads of the Trojans, cut through their necks and tear their city down to its foundations. Chorus Your words are worthy of you, Achilles and of your mother who is a splendid goddess. Where has the strength of the face of Modesty or of Virtue gone? The girl deserves better still, may the gods be with us! My curiosity. Klytaimestra Elected to commit a murder! Helen fell in love with him and he fell in love with Helen. Iphigeneia Dont leave home, daddy. 1130. First Chorus And I saw Gerenian Nestor who came from Pylos. Agamemnon Thank you, friend. Before the play begins: The background of Iphigeneia at Aulis is the Trojan War. Come, take me to the altar of the goddess. 411, Menelaos Enjoy the glory of your sceptre then! He is the son of the goddess Thetis, and his tutor was Cheiron, the most honourable of all the centaurs. And then theres also this: what right do I have to love my life so much? He walks slowly about the stage for a moment, anxiously searching the starry sky. 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? However, when he tries to rally the Greeks against the sacrifice, he discovers that the entirety of the Greek soldiers demand that Agamemnon's wishes be carried out. So, tell me, my brother: What is all this violent fury?