Aulis 1 Why Why Clip Michael Cacoyannis Iphigenia 1977 Thats why IPHIGENIA It is unthinkable that this man Achilles should pit himself against the whole of Argos ID: 776239
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Slide1
Euripides’
Iphigenia at Aulis 1
Why??
Slide2Why?
Slide3Clip, Michael Cacoyannis’
Iphigenia (1977)
Slide4That’s why?...
Slide5IPHIGENIA
It is unthinkable that this
man [Achilles]
should pit himself against the whole of Argos
for a woman’s sake. A single man is worthier
to look upon the light than ten thousand women. If Artemis is determined to have my carcass
shall I a mortal female cheat the goddess?
No, I give my body to Hellas.
So sacrifice me and sack Troy.
That will be my memorial through the ages. That will be my marriage, my children, and my fame.
For the Greeks to govern barbarians is but
natural, and
nowise [= “not”],
mother, for barbarians to
govern Greeks
. (p. 267)
Slide6Agenda
DiscussionWilliams on IA?Introduction to Play
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6
Slide7Discussion
Why?
Slide8Why does Iphigenia have to die? Yes, Artemis saves her at the last minute — or so we're told. But no one knows that that at first. So why does Iphigenia have to die? Why does Iphigenia
consent
to die?
Slide9Does
IA
provide validation
for,
or does
it challenge, Williams
in
Modern
Tragedy
?
– “The Tradition” –
– Relatability/Relevance –
etc.
Slide10Introduction to Play
Play Facts, Features
Slide11IA: Play Facts
ProducedMarch 405 BCEPosthumouslyTetralogyIphigenia at Aulis, Alcmaeon, Bacchae, satyr play
TextInterpolationCorruptionDramaturgyRealismSuspense
CHORUS: “And then I came
to the swarm of ships: | A vision to thrill the female eye | with the sweetest spasm” (p. 225)ACHILLES: “What a strange passion (erōs) has for this war | has smitten Hellas (Greece). It’s almost demonic (i.e., it has been sent by the gods)” (p. 246)AGAMEMNON: “The Greek army is possessed by a kind of lust (Aphrodite) to sail at once to this foreign land” (p. 262)
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11
Slide12Myth: Variant Versions
Epic CycleAgamemnonboastful hunterArtemiswrathful wind-reverserSacrificedeer for girlgirl to goddessAeschylus AgamemnonAdverse winds, sacrifice: deterrentNo substitution
Euripides Iphigenia Among the Taurians (ca. 414)Iphigenia as vowed sacrifice“the most beautiful thing the year will bring forth”deer substitutionrelocation
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Slide13Slide14Sacrifice of Iphigenia, Pompeii
Slide15Double prologue (? pp. 218 ff.)Agamemnon, Retainer.Agamemnon on backstory.Parodos (pp. 224 ff.)Women of Chalcis on fleet.1st episode (227 ff.)Menelaus & Retainer.Menelaus & Agamemnon (agōn)1st stasimon (pp. 237 ff.)Good sexual desire (erōs) versus bad.2nd episode (pp. 239 ff.)Clytemnestra, Iphigenia, Agamemnon (wedding planning, etc.)2nd stasimon (pp. 244 ff.)Destruction of Troy.May same not befall Greece!Anger at Helen.
Analysis (pp. 218–246 top)
Slide16IA: Euripidean Features
Background PrologueAgamemnon’s speech, pp. 220 ff.De-emphasized chorusSolo singingIphigenia’s aria (Cly + Iphi duet?), pp. 263 f.“You, dear mother, and I | must chant the selfsame dirge together”Realism, anti-mythologyQuasi-democratic politicking (Odysseus, Agamemnon)Anti-mythological motivationAnti-heroismIntrigue/deceptionAgamemnon’s first letterDeus ex machinaOffstage business, Artemis saves the day
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Slide17IA: Themes
Political
Lust for conquestWar as madPanhellenismWar as unityLeadershipAgamemnon’s vacillationDemocracy versus oligarchyAgamemnon versus Odysseus
Social
Gender and powerAgamemnon versus...ClytemnestraIphigeniaSocial classObligations of nobilityAristocratic attitudeRank-and-file mob
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Slide18CHORUS: “And then I came
to the swarm of ships: | A vision to thrill the female eye | with the sweetest spasm” (p. 225)
ACHILLES:
“What a strange passion (
erōs
) has
for this war | has smitten Hellas (Greece). It’s almost demonic (i.e., it has been sent by the gods)” (p. 246)
AGAMEMNON:
“The Greek army is possessed by a kind of lust (Aphrodite) to sail at once to this foreign land” (p. 262)
Slide19Play — Topicality?
Spartan war (431-404)Great Plague (431-426)Sicilian Disaster (413)Oligarchic coup (411)Battle of Arginusae (406)ensuing trial
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Slide20Class 2 Discussion: Why?
Why does Iphigenia have to die? Yes, Artemis saves her at the last minute — or so we're told. But no one knows that that at first. So why does Iphigenia have to die? Why does Iphigenia
consent
to die?