Transcript Slides

The Eumenides 2
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
• C. Pre-trial before Athena (397-489)
– 1. Athena’s introduction (397-414)
» a. She’s been away at Troy (397-404)
» b. Asks the identity of the litigants; note praise of
Athens in 406 (404-414)
– 2. Eumenides present their case (415-435)
» a. Note their one-sided view (426-427)
» b. They entrust the case to Athena (433-435)
– 3. Orestes presents his case (436-469)
» a. He has been purified already (443-452)
» b. Tells the story and admits that he murdered his
mother (452-464)
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
» c. Tells of Apollo’s role in the deed (465-467)
» d. Likewise entrusts the case to Athena (468-469)
– 4. Athena decides to create a court to decide the case (470489)
» a. She recognizes that Orestes has been purified of the
crime (470-475)
» b. She cannot ignore the Eumenides because they will
harm Athens (476-481)
» c. She decides to create a court of the best citizens
(481-484)
Areopagus from the North
Areopagus and Acropolis
Areopagus from the East
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
• D. 3rd Stasimon (490-565)
– 1. The fear the precedent (490-498)
– 2. If Orestes is acquitted the misery they cause is stripped
of reason (499-515)
– 3. Suffering has a pedagogic/moral value (516-525)
– 4. They oppose the might-makes-right way of the world
(526-549)
– 5. Right wins out; arrogant wrong is punished (550-565)
• E. The Trial (566-777)
– 1. The second chorus enters (566-573)
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
– 2. Apollo claims responsibility for Clytemnestra’s death
and confirms that he cleansed Orestes (576-581)
– 3. Eumenides interrogate Orestes; note 605 (582-608)
– 4. Orestes appeals to Apollo for help (609-613)
– 5. Chorus interrogates Apollo (614-673)
» a. Apollo’s always speaks Zeus’ will (616-618)
» b. Zeus’ justice is strong (619-621)
» c. Sophistic argument: a mother isn’t really a parent;
witness Athena (657-666)
» d. He will strengthen Athens (bribe) and make a
lasting alliance between Argos and Athens (667-673)
– 6. Interrogation phase ends (674-680)
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
– 7. Athena creates the Areopagus (681-710)
– 8. Apollo and Eumenides exchange threats: he threatens
them, they threaten Athens (711-733)
– 9. Athena votes for acquittal because she prefers males
(734-743)
– 10. The votes are counted and Orestes is acquitted by a
split vote (744-753)
– 11. Orestes thanks Athena, promises future alliance
between Argos and Athens, exits (754-777)
• F. The Eumenides receive a new role (778-1047)
– 1. Eumenides complain and threaten; Athena offers them a
place in the city (778-891)
» a. Eumenides will have their revenge on Athens (778793)
The Eumenides: Plot (cont.)
» b. Athena offers them an alternative (794-807)
» c. They have been overpowered by younger gods and
will punish the city (808-822)
» d. Athena reminds them she has access to Zeus’ power
(824-829)
» e. They appeal to their mother, Night (837-847)
» f. Athena foretells Athens’ future glory (851-857)
» g. Eumenides finally won over (892-926)
» h. The Eumenides bless Athens as Athena establishes
them as the correctors of Athenian behavior (927-995)
» i. They depart (996-1031)
» j. Another chorus joins in (1032-1047)
Orpheus and Eurydice
– Orpheus
• The human originator of music and poetry.
• Please ignore everything you read of “Orphic” cults.
– Eurydice
• His new wife.
• Dies.
– The myth: Orpheus’ trip to Hades to rescue
Eurydice.