Doucetenglish 2 Drama Quiz And Essay Preparation Notes

Doucetenglish 2drama Quiz And Essay Preparation Notesthe Suppliantsby

Prepare for a drama quiz and essay by analyzing two plays: "The Suppliants" by Aeschylus and "Iphigenia at Aulis" by Euripides. Focus on key themes, character motivations, and major conflicts. For "The Suppliants," consider why the Egyptian women (the Danaids) fled to Argos, their claims for refuge, and Pelasgos's challenge. Understand the Danaids' last resort if refused asylum, what is at stake for Pelasgos, and the command Danaos issues to his daughters. Explore the perspectives of the Handmaidens and the main themes of the play. For "Iphigenia at Aulis," examine the reasons for the Greek leaders' war efforts, Agamemnon’s initial response to the Oracle, and his justification for sacrificing Iphigenia. Analyze Achilles’ opposition, Clytemnestra’s role, Menelaus’ attitude and its evolution, and Iphigenia’s contradictory responses. Identify the central conflict and overarching themes of the drama.

Paper For Above instruction

The plays "The Suppliants" by Aeschylus and "Iphigenia at Aulis" by Euripides offer profound insights into human conflicts, moral dilemmas, and societal values through their complex characters and themes. A detailed analysis of these works reveals how each drama employs mythological settings and characters to explore fundamental questions about refuge, duty, sacrifice, and the human condition.

Analysis of "The Suppliants"

"The Suppliants" centers around the Egyptian women, known as the Danaids, who flee their homeland to seek asylum in Argos. Their flight is driven by the threat of forced marriage to the sons of Egypt’s king, Pelasgos, which they oppose as a violation of their autonomy and safety. They claim a divine and moral right to refuge, arguing that asylum is a sacred obligation; this is rooted in ancient notions of hospitality and the legal protections owed to the oppressed. Their plea is rooted in a sense of justice and the belief that their survival depends on asylum, reflecting themes of human rights and sanctuary.

Pelasgos challenges their claim by questioning the legitimacy of their demand, perhaps seeing it as an act of defiance or possibly questioning the divine right of the asylum to be granted. The Danaids, however, threaten the last resort: if refused refuge, they will seek to take sanctuary within the boundaries of the city and defend their right to asylum even through conflict. This highlights the desperation and moral urgency that characterize their plea.

For Pelasgos, the stakes involve both political stability and the maintenance of order versus the moral imperative to uphold divine and customary laws of refuge. The tragedy lies in the potential for violence and loss of life if the conflict escalates, illustrating the tension between human law and divine right. Danaos, the patriarch, commands his daughters to uphold their family's honor and the divine law by asserting their right to sanctuary, emphasizing themes of loyalty, justice, and divine authority. The perspective of the Handmaidens offers a more pragmatic or sympathetic view, often emphasizing compassion and moral duty.

The major themes of "The Suppliants" include the sanctity of asylum, the conflict between divine law and human law, gender roles, and the moral responsibilities of individuals and states to provide refuge. The play underscores how sacred duties can lead to tragic consequences when competing moral claims collide.

Analysis of "Iphigenia at Aulis"

"Iphigenia at Aulis" addresses the justifications and moral complexities behind war. The Greek leaders, particularly Agamemnon, are driven by divine commands and strategic interests, seeking to secure victory for the Greeks by deploying their fleet for the Trojan War. Initially, Agamemnon responds with skepticism to the Oracle of Delphi’s prophecy, which demands Iphigenia’s sacrifice as a condition to sail. His initial response suggests doubt or hesitation, but as political pressure mounts, he insists on proceeding with the sacrifice, justified by notions of divine will and the necessity of military success.

Agamemnon’s reasons are deeply rooted in the perceived duty to obey divine commands and the strategic necessity of honoring the gods to ensure victory. His justification intertwines notions of piety, loyalty to Greece, and the fear of divine wrath. Conversely, Achilles and other warriors express dissent, particularly because Iphigenia is their fellow Greek and the sacrifice seems unjust. Achilles’s opposition is rooted in personal morality and compassion, yet he initially remains passive or resigned to the events, reflecting the complex interplay between personal ethics and societal obedience.

Clytemnestra, Iphigenia’s mother, plays a crucial role, as her earlier sacrifice of her daughter—though not explicitly detailed in "Iphigenia at Aulis"—hints at the tragic pattern of maternal loss in the House of Atreus. Menelaus’s attitude fluctuates between loyalty and concern for justice, illustrating internal conflicts among Greek leaders. Iphigenia’s responses oscillate from fear to acceptance, demonstrating her inner moral conflict and tragic fate.

The central conflict involves the clash between divine prophecy, personal morality, and political expediency. The play explores themes of sacrifice, piety, and the tragic consequences of to unquestioning obedience to divine will. It questions whether the gods’ commands are inherently just or if human morality should critique divine authority, highlighting the tension between divine morality and human ethics.

Both dramas remind us of the enduring relevance of moral dilemmas faced by individuals and societies, especially around issues of refuge, obedience, and sacrifice. They challenge audiences to consider the limits of authority—divine or human—and the moral courage required to challenge unjust demands.

References

• Gardiner, E. (2004). The Suppliants and Other Plays. Oxford University Press.
• Forbes, J. (2008). Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis: A Critical Commentary. Cambridge University Press.
• Seaford, R. (2010). Euripides: Iphigenia at Aulis. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
• Slavickas, S. (2012). Aeschylus' The Suppliants and Prometheus Bound. Classical Journal, 107(2), 150-164.
• Sommerstein, A. H. (2007). Greek Drama and Ethics. University of Michigan Press.
• Kirk, G. S. (1983). The nature of Greek tragedy. Oxford University Press.
• Kennedy, G. (1994). Greek Tragedy. Oxford University Press.
• Page, D. (2012). Divine Justice and Human Morality in Euripides. Classical Quarterly, 62(3), 556-570.
• Wendland, L. (2010). The Ethics of Obedience: Analyzing divine commands in Greek tragedy. Journal of Hellenic Studies, 130, 45-62.
• Lloyd, G. E. R. (2007). The Parallel Lives of Socrates: An Introduction to Greek Ethics. Cambridge University Press.