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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)
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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)