Agamemnon I. Agamemnon I. The watchman’s speech (1-39) –A. N.B. Clytemnestra has “male...
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Transcript of Agamemnon I. Agamemnon I. The watchman’s speech (1-39) –A. N.B. Clytemnestra has “male...
Agamemnon I
Agamemnon
• I. The watchman’s speech (1-39)– A. N.B. Clytemnestra has “male strength of heart” (11)
– B. Something is wrong in the royal house (17, 19)
– C. He’s loyal to the king (30-31)
– D. Watchman is afraid to speak of the trouble (35-39)
• II. Parodos: The chorus of Argive elders enters (40-263)
– A. Eagle simile, hint at Iphigeneia (40-59)
Agamemnon (cont.)
– B. Chorus describes itself; n.b. baby, both themselves and Orestes (72-75)
– C. Clytemnestra’s sacrifices (76-103)
– D. Chalcas’ prophecy at Aulis (104-159)
» 1. The portent: 2 eagles devour a pregnant hare (104-121)
» 2. Chalcas’ prophecy; n.b. Artemis’ anger (122-139)
» 3. Chalcas’ prayer to Apollo (140-155)
» 4. Chorus comments (156-159)
– F. Chorus prays to Zeus (160-183)
Agamemnon (cont.)
– G. Aulis (184-254)
» 1. The winds are opposed (184-198)
» 2. Chalcas speaks (198-204)
» 3. Agamemnon acquiesces (205-216)
» 4. The sacrifice (217-254)
– H. They introduce Clytemnestra and ask for news: note the irony (255-263)
• III. Clytemnestra speaks (264-354)– A. The Greeks have taken Troy (264-267)
Agamemnon (cont.)
– B. Stichomythia c. chorus; note Clytemnestra’s tone (268-280)
– C. Clytemnestra tells of the signal fires (281-316)
– D. The chorus ask to hear the story again (317-319)
– E. Clytemnestra instead tells of the war (320-350)
» 1. Note Clytemnestra’s knowledge of war (326-337)
» 2. N.B. 338-342: The lesser Ajax raped Cassandra in the temple of Athena
» 3. Note irony in 347-350
» 4. Ironic wish: no new harm (345-347)
» 5. False humility; cf. the watchman’s speech in 11 (348)
Agamemnon (cont.)
– F. Chorus responds (351-354)
• IV. 1st stasimon (355-502)– A. On Paris and the Trojans; n.b. portrayal of Persuasion
(355-402)
– B. On Helen; simultaneously describes Clytemnestra (404-419)
– C. Dreams; the troubles affected all (420-436)
– D. The slaughter; the Greeks grow angry with Agamemnon and Menelaos (437-455)
– E. Divine jealousy (456-474)
Agamemnon (cont.)
– F. The chorus still doubt (475-487)
– G. The chorus introduce the messenger (488-502)