Setting

1. Act 1 / Scene 1 Setting The Pythia’s room in the Temple of Apollo at Dlephi. This Temple contained the famous oracle or prophet called “Pythia” People believed that she’s the mouthpiece of Apollo so they sought her advice.

2. Characters • The Pythia , priestess of Delphi [The mouthpiece of God Apollo.] • Hephaestion, a young Macedonian officer of twenty one] • Philotas, a Macedonian officer.

3. P. 9 • The Pythia, the Priestess of Delphi enters the Temple at Delphi followed by an attendant. • Hephaestion, a Macedonian officer enters, unaware of the Pythia, then he suddenly sees her. • The Pythia told Hephaestion that it is a forbidden place so he had leave then. • Hephaestion informed the Pythia that he was sent by his master “King Alexander” to consult the oracle and that his master needs a meeting with her today.

4. P. 10 The Pythia told Hephaestion that his master should apply his demand in a written form to the High Council of Delphic priests. He should wait until his question is chosen. Philotas, a Macedonian officer, aged twenty seven, enters inquiring about the reason why Hephaestion is late.

5. P. 11 • Philotas informed the Pythia that both he and Hephaestion are officers of Majesty Personal bodyguard. • The Pythia asked him if the King he spoke of is Alexander; the new King of Macedon. • Philotas assured her that Alexander is Captain General of all Greece.

6. P. 11 • The Pythia replied; “An imposing title for so young a man.” [Irony] At the Temple at Delphi, Hephaestion and Philotas were sent to take permission for Alexander to consult the oracle. When Philotas entered the temple, he introduced himself to the Pythia as the personal bodyguard of King Alexander, the King of Macedon and the Captain General of all Greece. The Pythia mocked Alexander saying that he was too young for being a king.

7. Philotas became angry and told the Pythia that King Alexander was freely elected Captain-General a week ago.

8. The Pythia replied; “Indeed? Freely – I think you said.” At the temple at Delphi, on entering the temple, Philotas introduced himself as the personal bodyguard of King Alexander; the King of Macedon and the Captain General of all Greece. The Pythia mocked Alexander saying that she hadn’t realized that being a king was hereditary. Philotas realized that she was making fun of Alexander so he told her that King Alexander was freely elected a week ago, but she answered ironically suspecting that Alexander’s men had bribed the electors.

9. Hephaestion told Philotas that they’d better leave. The Pythia warned Hephaestion and Philotas and told them as long as both of them are in that Holy Place, she’s in danger. Hephaestion apologized justifying what Philotas had done by saying that he was young. The Pythia said that he isn’t young as he’s 27 and asked Hephaestion about his age to which he answered that he was 21. one year older than King Alexander. P. 12

10. The Pythia sent a message to Alexander telling him that she would answer him at a more appropriate time. • Hephaestion told the Pythia that it was the first time to disappoint King Alexander so the Pythia wondered if he was afraid of King Alexander; but Hephaestion informed her that Alexander is his best friend.

11. P. 13 • The Pythia said; “I see, Aren’t you very proud to have a king for a best friend?” • Hephaestion replied; “No, I am very proud to have Alexander for a best friend.” [Democracy] At the temple at Delphi; when Hephaestion expressed his sadness for letting Alexander down by being unable to take permission for Alexander to consult the oracle, the Pythia asked him if he was afraid of Alexander but he said that he was his best friend then she asked him if he was happy to have the King as his best friend, he replied saying that he was proud of having Alexander as his best friend which shows Alexander’s democracy.

12. P. 14 • The Pythia is studying some documents in her room, suddenly, a cloak is thrown over the balcony wall. Alexander climbs the statue of Apollo and comes to the Pythia’s room through the balcony. • He introduced himself proudly to the Pythia saying “ I am Alexander of Macedon” , “I look like my coins, do I” which shows Alexander’s self-confidence. • When the Pythia asked him how he got in her room. He answered with a sense of humour; “Apollo helped me.” • Alexander presents his questions to the Pythia “whether to fight Persia or not”. She seemed surprised at it “as it is the greatest power at that time.”

13. P.15 • The Pythia refused to answer his question because it’s impossible. He tried to convince her to answer him. • He replied “I once asked my tutor how a man could become a god, and he answered, by doing what is impossible for a man to do.” [Comment] Alexander was greatly influenced by his tutor Aristotle who told him once in order to become a god, he should do the impossible. Alexander wished to be a god and worshipped by his people which shows that Alexander is an ambitious person.

14. “If I do the impossible it won’t be because I’ ve become a god, but because I was born Alexander.” At the temple at Delphi when the Pythia asked Alexander surprisingly, if he wanted to become a god, he replied that he did the impossible this was because he was born Alexander which reflects Alexander’s self-confidence.

15. P. 16 “How he would tremble if he could see that.” [Irony] When Alexander asked the Pythia to return his question back if she’s not going to answer it. • He’s afraid it might fall into the wrong hands [he means the Persians] as Darius’s spies are everywhere. • She made fun of him and replied ironically, that Darius would tremble of fear if he heard that Alexander would fight him.

16. “Or perhaps the necessity.” [Irony] • She made fun of him when she asked him about his men and Darius’s men. • He replied that he’d fight Darius with 35 thousand while Darius’s men were quarter of million and could be two million. • She laughed at him. She couldn’t believe him because the Persians [at that time] were the strongest empire in the world.

17. “But perhaps you won’t laugh so much when the Persian empire crumbles into dust.” [Self-Confidence] • Alexander told the Pythia that he was sure the Persian Empire would crumble into dust.

18. P. 17 • Alexander discusses his plan with the Pythia. He’s trying by all means to convince her to answer his question. • He’d send Parmenion [his chief of staff] to secure a bridge head across the Hellespont. • He’d push with the main force into the interior. • He’d lure them into a pitched battle. • After destroying the force, he’d march down the coast, liberating all the Greek colonies. • He’d meet Darius in Syria. • He’d cross the Cilician Gates [It’s impossible to cross these mountains because they contain narrow passages where only three men can walk] • He’d depend on speed in his plan. • His plan shows how self-confident and a great military leader Alexander was.

19. “Well then I shall meet Darius in the field, beat him and kill him or take him prisoner” Alexander was sure that he’d win the battle against Darius although the number of his army was less than Darius’s which shows how self-confidence Alexander was.

20. P. 18 Alexander’s goal [1st motive] He wanted to be a god among his men by doing the impossible. He wanted to establish a new order in Asia. He wanted to establish a Hellenic world ruled by him. He wanted to establish universal peace.

21. Self-confidence “If there’s a worthier man than myself to rule this new state, let him do so.” Alexander’s plan shows that he was sure that he’s the only one in the world who could found a new order in Asia.

22. Democratic “Oh, they’ll be our partners. They’ll have the rights as the Greeks, but will have to submit to being ruled by a Greek instead of a Persian.” • When the Pythia asked him about the Persians and the Egyptians, how he’d treat them. • He replied that they would be their partners. They would have the same rights as the Greeks but under the Greek rule. • That’s a small price to pay for a world state and universal peace.

23. P.19 / 20Alexander’s 2nd motive [Irony] At the wedding banquet, when Alexander’s father was getting married after divorcing his mother. Alexander’s father’s father-in-law made a speech saying that finally King Philip [Alexander’s father] would find an heir to the throne so Alexander became angry and threw the wine into his face. As a result, Alexander’s father became angry, drew his sword and headed towards his father saying the two sofas. Alexander mocked his father saying that his father was supposed to pass from Europe to Asia, but he couldn’t pass between two sofas.

24. Alexander was angry that his father didn’t defend him so he decided to prove to his father and the people that he would be a better ruler than King Philip which shows the complex relationship between Alexander and his father. • The Pythia told Alexander that his father had been dead. Alexander told her that he insisted to fulfil his promise to his father . He asked the Pyhia if she still determined not to answer his question.

25. P. 21 / 22 • Alexander told the Pythia that he wished to know the answer of god Apollo. • He also told her that he wished to build a new temple for the god, but his army took all his income. • The only answer he received from the Pythia was that he was invincible. • Alexander believed that it was the god’s answer to his question. • Before leaving the temple the Pythia advised Alexander to know himself and reminded him that there’s always the last battle. Being confident, Alexander believed he would win it.