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)