Specimens of Greek Tragedy | Page 6

Issue is recounted by a
Messenger to the Queen, Eurydice. Lines 1155-1243
AJAX.
Introduction
Tecmessa, a Captive with whom Ajax lives as his Wife, tells the
Chorus of Salaminian Mariners what has befallen their Chieftain. Lines
284-330
Ajax bewails his own Fall. Tecmessa tries to comfort him and turn him
from Violent Courses. Lines 430-595
Ajax pretends to be softened, and to be going forth only for the
Harmless Purpose of Purification in a Running Stream, though he is
really going to his Death. Lines 646-692
The Last Speech of Ajax. Lines 815-865
ELECTRA.
Introduction
The Tutor of Orestes tells Clytaemnestra a Fictitious Story of her Son's
Death by a Fall in a Chariot Race. Electra is on the Scene. Lines
660-822
Electra's Sister Chrysothemis, having found the offerings of Orestes on
his Father's Tomb, brings what she deems glad Tidings to Electra, who
meets her with the Announcement that the Pedagogos has just brought
Certain News of their Brother's Death. Electra, now reduced to Despair,

proposes to Chrysothemis that they should themselves attempt to slay
Aegisthus. Lines 871-1057
Orestes enters with the Urn which, it is pretended, contains his Ashes.
His Recognition ensues. Lines 1097-1231
THE TRACHINIAE
Introduction
Deianira imparts the Secret of her Device for regaining the Love of her
Husband, Hercules, and puts the Fatal Robe into the Hands of Lichas,
the Herald, that he may carry it to Hercules. Lines 531-632
Deianira recounts to the Chorus an Alarming and Portentous Incident.
Then Hyllus, the Son of Hercules, comes and announces the
Catastrophe. Lines 663-820
PHILOCTETES.
Introduction
Ulysses explains the Plan of Action to Neoptolemus, and labours to
bend him to his Purpose. Lines 1-134
Neoptolemus having filched the Bow of Philoctetes, Philoctetes prays
him to restore it. Lines 927-962

AESCHYLUS

PROMETHEUS BOUND.
Prometheus, the good Titan, has been raising mankind from the
condition of primeval brutes by teaching them the arts of civilisation.
At last he steals fire from heaven for their use. By this he incurs the
wrath of Zeus, who, having deposed his father Chronos, has become
king of the gods. As a punishment Prometheus is condemned by Zeus
to be chained to a rock in the Caucasus, with an eagle always feeding
on his breast. But Prometheus knows the secret of a mysterious
marriage which is destined in time to take place, and by the offspring of
which Zeus in his turn is to be dethroned. Strong in his consciousness
of this, he defies Zeus, who by the agency of Hermes tries in vain to
wrest the secret from him. The persons of the drama, besides
Prometheus, are Hephaestus, better known by his Latin name of Vulcan,
Might and Force personified, Hermes the messenger of Heaven, and the
wandering Io. The chorus consists of sea- nymphs, who sympathise
with the suffering Prometheus. This drama is a sublime enigma.

Aeschylus was conservative and deeply religious. How could he write a
play the hero of which is a benefactor of man struggling against the
tyranny of the king of the gods, and the sequel of which found a fit and
congenial composer in Shelley, whose sentiment and manner the
"Prometheus Bound" wonderfully anticipates and perhaps helped to
form? Again, how could the Athenians, in an age when their piety had
not yet given way to scepticism, have endured such dramatic treatment
of the chief of the gods? It is almost as if a Mystery Play had been
presented in the Middle Ages with Satan for the hero and the First
Person of the Trinity in the character of an oppressor. Perhaps the
position of Zeus in the drama as a usurper may, in some degree, have
softened the religious effect.
* * * * *
Prometheus is brought in by the Spirits of Might and Force, Hephaestus
accompanying them.
LINES 1-113.
SCENE: The Caucasus.
MIGHT.
Unto earth's utmost boundary we have come, To Scythia's realm, th'
untrodden wilderness. Hephaestus, now it is thy part to do The
Almighty Father's bidding, and to bind This arch-deceiver to yon
lowering cliff With bonds of everlasting adamant. Thy attribute,
all-fabricating fire, He stole and gave to man. Such is the crime For
which he pays the penalty to Heaven, That he may learn henceforth
meekly to bear The rule of Zeus and less befriend mankind.
HEPHAESTUS.
Spirits of Might and Force, by you the word Of Zeus has been fulfilled;
your task is done. But I--to bind a god, one of my kin, To a
storm-beaten cliff, my heart abhors. And yet this must I do, for woe is
him That does not what the Almighty Sire commands. Thou
high-aspiring son of Themis sage, Unwilling is the hand that rivets thee
Indissolubly to this lonely rock, Where thou shalt see no face and hear
no voice Of man,