Agamemnon You are much happier than me for knowing less than I do. Come, take me to the altar of the goddess. Overview. Palermo, Mus. A Monologue from the play Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides - Actorama I shall do as you say. It was a lie. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis, line 1374 - Perseus Project Let us pray for a good fortune! Chorus Friends, let us sing our prayer to Artemis! Agamemnon You? Old Man Yes, my lady and so, I am more loyal to you than I am to your husband. Achilles Weighty words, old man! And you can see how I, a woman, have come here to the camp of soldiers, tough men, brave and ready for war and violence. Agamemnon Yes. Old Man Yes, my lady. The Plays of Euripides, translated by E. P. Coleridge. Then, the moment you became one, all this nice behaviour changed and you had turned your back on all your friends. Your words are good, worthy of our country. Christoph Willibald Gluck: Overture to "Iphigenia in Aulis" (orch. May it be with you always, for helping the unfortunate! 402. Agamemnon Thank you, friend. 500. Clytemnestra It is the goddess' son you see, child, for whom you came here. She reminds him of how they used to plan her future and tells him how much she wants to live. Some madness has overtaken their hearts and they want to sail immediately over to Troy to the land of those barbarians and to put an end to this raping and stealing of our women, to tearing them away from their marital beds. Exit Agamemnon. All right, youve stopped me Im waiting. With his own sword, madam he will make bloody the young girls white neck bloody it with her own blood! What can I possibly say now? She was the Queen of the gods. Menelaos Brothers must share each others pain. Agamemnon Here, at the harbour, near our beautiful Greek ships. 250. In front of the tent is a small table at which sits Agamemnon. 1531. Iphigenia in Aulis is an Ancient Greek play written by Euripides. Klytaimestra Stop your shouting. Come, son of the goddess, lend us a hand, help us, or else we are doomed! I am too ashamed to tell you this pitiful story of mine. She was falsely called your future wife. I was given as a gift to her father, Tyndareus. The news spread quickly and so the whole army already knows that your daughter has arrived. Are you still sleeping my baby? His wifes doing, so, let him kill his wifes daughter. Klytaimestra O, my darling daughter! All these troubles he has caused! Come, then, father, turn to me and give me a final kiss. Agamemnon Youll be able to see the sacrifice. I could not. First Chorus The right wing of this naval force was taken up by the fifty swift ships of the war-loving Myrmidons from Phthia. July 4, 2022 . Iphigenia at Aulis seems to have been constructed in a society in which it was ideal to put nation and family ahead of oneself. Shelley Dean Milman. Pronunciation of iphigenia in aulis with 1 audio pronunciations. Achilles I told them that if thats what they thought, then they should not kill my intended wife. However, when Agamemnon breaks down in tears, Menelaus relents. Iphigenia in Aulis Character Analysis | Course Hero The one in control here is Hellas. What you mustnt do is run around wildly about the camp among the soldiers. Chorus Let Agamemnons name live for ever in glory! Dont be so afraid of the masses! Gluck's 'Iphigenia in Aulis,' Marriage or Murder? : NPR Iphigeneia Hands Orestes back to her mother. I was a very good house keeper for you. He is the very reason you are here! Then thats the end, my sweetheart! New troubles are now added upon those Im already suffering. They say that Zeus had transformed himself into a bird and then slept with your mother. The whole world loves to talk about the famous and to see them in their flesh. 1440. I shall obey your directions. Menelaos And you should not be bringing so much trouble to the Greeks! Ive also missed you! 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). Iphigeneia Yes, mother, please let me run to him before you do. 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. Its not Menelaos whos in control here, Iphigeneia. 128. We shall make the wedding celebrations another time., Old Man But how will Achilles take this? Not before I tell all the Greeks what it says! 1000. How should I start? Oh! Ah, but the common folk have it easy. Youll be standing right there at the altar. But as for you, daughter of Agamemnon! Volume II. The whole thing is a game played by the heavens! And there, along the white sands below, Nereus fifty daughters whirled and weaved their dance circles and made splendid the wedding of the Nereid. 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. Cassandra who shakes loose her golden hair beneath the green garland of laurel whenever the god grips her with his prophetic gasp. 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! You will be away from me for a very long time. Then Achilles, Peleas son, took the golden basket and the holy water in his hands and ran around the goddess altar, chanting 1570. Gone are the harsh words, suddenly! Here, take it now and carry it over toArgos. 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. Agamemnon, her father will sacrifice her to the goddess Artemis. Aided and abetted by the gods! 480. You locked yourself up indoors and became totally unapproachable to everyone. The Aenians brought twelve ships, captained by their king, Gouneus; and beside them were moored the lords ofEliswhom everyone called Epeians. 180. Iphigeneia She runs her fingers gently through her mothers hair. Rolls her hand gently through her own hair. With blessings or with force? What is it that I need to hear alone, out here? Iphigenia In Aulis - Read online for free. Iphigenia in Aulis has been added to your Cart . 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. 762. Well, then, may you and your friends also enjoy a marriage such as mine! She will say to me! The Greek warriors are waiting for you, anxious to start off for Troy! Married and single alike? It was written sometime between 408 and 406 BCE (the date of his death) and was first produced in the year following his death, where it won first place at the Athenian City Dionysia contest. iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me 543. Intelligence, brother, can turn any man into a head of State. Has my husband gone insane? Old Man The priest, my lady. 110. Chorus What a delightful wedding song was sung while the Lybian flute played on the day that Thetis and Peleas married! 260. Ive changed my mind, brother. How I cry for you! So you will sacrifice your daughter! Making the Call: Reflections on This Is War - academia.edu All of us? Come, give me your right hand and lets make this the beginning of a blessed marriage! Agamemnon I would, but some god has made both you andGreeceinsane! Klytaimestra Peers into the distance anxiously for a moment but is finally relieved. Of all of my children, you, Iphigeneia, have always loved your father the most! Exit Achilles. It is unjust that your children should die while mine still enjoy the sunlight. After all, what is it exactly that I want? Stay here. Mahathma Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital > Blog Classic > Uncategorized > iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me. Please lend me your arms, so that I may get down from the seat of this carriage modestly. You will kill the one whos loved by all so as to save the one whos hated by all! Agamemnon Are you, darling? Shell be his wife. 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's father is Agamemnon and his brother is King Menelaus. Agamemnon Look at you? His head falls into his arms and he begins sobbing. Thats what Im afraid of! Every one of them is just as unbearable! Good bye. Ill obey your every command. Youve forgotten them and so, now, you want to kill me. He sounds frightened. First Chorus Atreas son, Menelaos, brought with him fromMycenae, the city built by the Cyclopes, one hundred ships and all the sailors to man them. 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! 1400. Menelaos No! Tell me, Agamemnon: Tell me what will you say to someone who asks you why youve killed your daughter? Iphigeneia at Aulis. This is something I wont tolerate. Weve been robbed! Thats true, Ive changed and Ive changed because I love you, brother. Your current position in the text is marked in blue. The play . Thank you, my sweet daughter! Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides | Analysis & Themes | Study.com Klytaimestra These are lovely words, Agamemnon but what of your deeds? Dire to me because it brought about my death. Happy noises of incoming royal procession, including horses and chariot are heard within, Stage Left. 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. "Iphigenia at Aulis" (Gr: "Iphigeneia en Aulidi") is the last extant tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides. Iphigeneia Stop! Do you not care about me any more? Agamemnon I envy you, old man! 58. The girl deserves better still, may the gods be with us! Ah! 101. Iphignie en Aulide (Gluck) - The Opera Scribe Agamemnon to trick Iphigenia into coming to Aulis. Pensively, anxiously. I have no one else to turn to, no other friend, no other altar to pray upon. Sadly, softly so that she wont hear him. Klytaimestra Thats where they say the centaurs live. You are the cause of it! Iphigeneia Well then, get rid of this ugly frown from the face that I love so much! And how is it that you, a woman, is here, where the whole army of the Greek men and their shields is gathered? Menelaos Yes, but an unstable mind is an evil thing, something which befuddles the minds of ones friends. And where will I be at the time? Achilles Words, logic, can fight off fear. Chorus Alas! Iphigeneia begins towards the tent but is stopped by her father. One of his servants go and tell him that Achilles, Peleas son is here, waiting for him, at the entrance of his tent! This is very dangerous indeed, my lord! Chorus Come back to us once youve taken from that city her fairest spoils! Chorus And their call to the Nereid was loud and clear: 1061. IPHIGENIA IN AULIS A monologue from the play by Euripides NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Plays of Euripides in English, vol. First Chorus Words worthy of Tantalus, Zeus son. Have you thought of any of this, or do you just go wandering about the army camp proudly waving about the sceptre of a General? Why? 330. They first worked. Klytaimestra Why? Youll fight them all? A terrible love." Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis tags: euripides , greek-tragedy , iphigenia-at-aulis , power , power-hungry 11 likes Like A kiss to remember you by in the underworld, since my words have not convinced you. Achilles You must grab her and not let go of her. I would have given it for the sake of my fellow soldiers. line to jump to another position: The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text. She has accepted this offering gladly and has granted us a safe journey for our expedition against Troy. 90. One goddess, Aphrodite, was proud of her insatiable love. Word Count: 1230. An unrelenting curse. Klytaimestra bursts into tears. The future of our Greek women rests upon my actions. i. Trans. What was the point of bringing us up here for a marriage that. Helen, the sister of the Heaven-dwelling twins, the Dioscuri. Me, father! I am resolved to die; and this I want to do with honor, dismissing from me what is mean. Go inside now! A teller of truth one time and a teller of lies one thousand times if hes lucky! 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. The Greeks were then enabled to set sail. Looking over the baby. Where shall I begin? Is this true or is it yet another one of these tales conjured up by the poets and then spread idly about the world through the ages? No! Iphigenia in Aulis on the Stage and in Art | Getty Iris Klytaimestra Yes! This last one, Helen, had received the most famous, the greatest sons of the whole ofHellasas her suitors ferocious threats of murder were uttered by those who had missed out on her. He, too, loves glory. 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! The Old Man fearfully pokes his head through the flaps of the tent. There will be no grave. And then I also realised that were brothers and my heart went out for the poor girl who would be sacrificed for the sake of my own marriage. Chorus And so, the blessed couple were wed by the gods: The nobly born oldest daughter of Nereas and Peleas. Why where do they say the Phrygians live, father? Agamemnon It will take place after I make the sacrifice. Begging you by his silence. Now, that was the first of my complaints against your character. 751. What an awful burden Helen andTroyhave become for us! Let me tell you why I am angry. Husband, I know the prospective grooms name but I know little about his family or his country. Chorus Then the Greeks shall tie a garland around your fair hair and stain your human throat with your own blood. Brighter Bayside > Blog > Uncategorized > iphigenia in aulis monologue mother listen to me. Iphigenia in Aulis - Washington State University Some of you stand by at the front of the horses to quieten them. Agamemnon Neither. Youve persuaded me with wise words. Achilles The whole army wants her your daughter- killed! Euripides (c.480-c.406 BC) - Iphigenia In Aulis: Translated by George I I felt a sharp pain cutting into my heart, my lady and I looked down onto the earth. 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. Shelley Dean Milman. 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. My armed comrades will be there with me to save your life, to stop your execution. Does no one speak against it? That I could never do! Oh, my girl! CineMan-8 20 April 1999. What did you say? Klytaimestra A sweet word of love from you? I had put a wedding wreath on her head and brought her here to be your wife. Menelaos Not if he dies first. Agamemnon Yes, my darling. Copyright 2000-2023 A. S. Kline, All Rights Reserved. Now that Agamemnon has insulted me, dishonoured me so badly, I feel like a like a nobody. Out here, in front of the tent! I take your kind welcome and gracious words as signs of a good omen. Words escape me! You know the dread that Agamemnon has brought upon us. 1260. It is the wish of the Heavens. Iphigeneia Damn all these spears of Menelaos! Remember, father? Agamemnon Where, darling? Listen! Chorus And the weeping and wailing of Priams daughters and of his wife will be bitter and piercing. Achilles The whole army is calling out for. 880. Your fathers holy water is waiting for you! Chorus Your words are worthy of you, Achilles and of your mother who is a splendid goddess. Now the strength rests with Irreverence and Virtue is now scorned by the mortals. 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. options are on the right side and top of the page. IPHIGENIA Had I, my father, the persuasive voice Of Orpheus, and his skill to charm the rocks We use cookies for social media and essential site functions. Once you see the knife approaching your neck you might well call for my help. First Chorus Women protect it well by avoiding immoderate love and men by bringing civil order in their city, thus making it great. Achilles Me, too! Rest assured, we are alone. You were totally bewildered by the change of your luck! Old Man Yes, dear lady! Ah! It was your name, Achilles that has brought us to this misfortune, so protect it now. 570. 821. Klytaimestra Unfortunate, Achilles, yes, that is true! I will be led to a godless slaughter by a godless father! 150. i. Trans. Agamemnon Holy Fate and Fortune! 940. But, my brother, we can do nothing now but go on with the bloody murder of my darling daughter. IPHIGENIA IN AULIS - Monologue (Iphigenia) A monologue from the play by Euripides NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Plays of Euripides in English, vol. And you, you will carry the honour of my deed wherever you go! Achilles, initially, vows to defend Iphigenia. You already had one and you couldnt control her. The play provides some backstory to the more well-known classical tales of the Trojan War. Then Talthybius stood up amongst them all and told them to be silent. I dont have to do anything he says and I didnt. Help us for that reason and help us, too, because if my daughter is killed on the altar that would be a bad omen for your future marital prospects, an omen you should try and avoid. Iphigeneia Of course. You mean, the son of Sisyphus? Agamemnon And you shouldnt be hanging around here, among all the soldiers! Step gently down, onto the earth. Orestes is begging you, too! Iphigeneia Do not hate daddy my daddy, your husband. Hold on! Dont force me to become evil! From now on, think only of me. She will be saved if you will it. 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. Give her your arms and bring her down safely. All of you! Agamemnon That will be his decision. Youd greet anyone and everyone, hoping with this behaviour to gain their approval and thus become their leader. Gather the baskets for the sacrifices, place wreaths on your head. But let me try and persuade you and let her stay inside the tent. Its a natural thing for men with decent hearts to do the decent thing. You will say that youve killed our daughter so that Menelaos, your brother, can get back his Helen! And you, foreign ladies, say nothing about this. Iphigenia at Aulis - University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre Chorus Go, young girl! 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. I have brought this bride here with strong hopes for a wonderful marriage. Gluck: Overture to "Iphigenia in Aulis" / Mori - YouTube And thats when shell discover my treachery! Old Man Menelaos! Achilles But who are you, madam? Theyre bound to serve someone well, sometime. Not unless I obey the priests demand, not unless I sacrifice you. 1010. Iphigeneia at Aulis Quotes THE OLD MAN: Atreus did not sire you, Agamemnon, into a world of pure happiness. The Watchman, whose . 1318. Save your child! Why all this violence? (A father's conduct here I blame), A joyless victim bred; When o'er the strand of Aulis, in the pride. What do they want to do with you? A prophet? Agamemnon Curse Calchas and his whole horde of glory-loving prophets! At the tip of their sterns stood the golden statues of Nereids, the emblem of Achilles army. Record the pronunciation of this word in your own voice and play it to listen to how you have pronounced it. 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. 20. 1290. 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. If you cannot persuade him then come back to me. In revenge for Agamemmnon killing one of her sacred stags, the goddess Artemis demands the sacrifice of his eldest daughter . 510. 900. I shall serve Greece! How could I, a mortal, go against that? Klytaimestra What shall I tell your little sisters? Checking out the situation carefully. Agamemnon We are brothers when we are doing what is reasonable, not when we do what is madness. 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! A Short Analysis of Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis Just before Iphigenia in Aulis begins . For such a young girl you are so intelligent! Let hers be the last one to do so! Still, the girl came up close to him and said, Daddy, here I am, ready to do as you say. Believe me, madam: Agamemnon will not slaughter her! Iphigenia calling into the tent. I wrote a letter to my wife, Klytaimestra. The name of Tyndareus stands high among the Greeks and one shouldnt demean it. Orpheus, who could charm even the heartless rocks into following him! Achilles Whos that? Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License. Klytaimestra Dear Achilles! I envy the man with the quiet life, the safe life. And so, the Greeks ordered you to let them board their ships and go back home and to stop wasting their efforts here. 1250. Old Man Both of you have pitiable fates, my lady! 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! I offer my body to my country and to the rest of Greece, willingly. First Chorus And fast-footed Achilles, too, whose feet fly faster than the wind. Here she is but Ill do the talking for both of us. If only I could! I know, Im behaving as if I were some god towards you though Im a mere mortal. 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. Achilles Yes. 'Iphigenia' is the great achievement of Michael Cacoyannis. Old Man I I dont approve of words like these coming out of the mouths of leaders. One of the myths in the Cypria inspired the tragedy Iphigenia in Aulis, written by Euripides (ca. Click anywhere in the Oh, my sweet daughter! Run! Shhhh listen to me! What sort of a welcome do you think youll receive on you return? We are doomed now! Give thanks to the goddess Hope! In fact, had he asked me for my permission to use my name for this, I would have given it. Your own baby! The whole Greek army, Klytaimestra, thats who! Iphigeneia Come, now, mother, dont make me lose heart! Listen to Books & Original Audio Performances : Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide: Box Office Mojo Find Movie Box Office Data: ComiXology Our daughter now lives among the gods. But then, suddenly a miracle happened, my lady! I also saw the Boetian fleet, fifty in number, led by Leitus, a mortal, born of the Earth. Enough! 870. Agamemnon Asopus, the river god, had a daughter,Aegina. Klytaimestra But why didnt you deliver that message to me, if it was in your hand? Klytaimestra What I should be doing as a mother- is to be the one who gives Iphigeneia, my daughter, away to her groom. On my part, I wish you all happiness and may you return to the land of your fathers victorious. 1410. Iphigeneia I am a fortunate girl, mother. 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. Iphigeneia Make your worries go away, daddy. . He alone did it, he, alone, with his very own hand! She decides to ruin the party by tossing in a golden apple that says "To the . 1560. Iphigenia is told that she must prepare for her new life, and that she will be quite alone, far from her parents and home (666, 669). I accepted my fortune and youll admit that I have always been a good wife to you. Introduction. For a slave you have just too much to say! 490. 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 my grand-father, my mothers father, Nereus, who was nurtured by the ocean waves! London: J.M. 'The Sacrifice of Iphigenia' and Agamemnon's Dilemma: In - Medium Youve raised me to be the shining light of Greece.