Aeschylus' The Persian's Flashcards
Parados: lines 1-158
The chorus enters and are concerned that they have not heard any news of from the men who crossed the Hellespont, listing commanders. They make refence to a prophesy that the Persians should seek victory on land and not sea and hail the entrance of Atossa
Fist episode: lines 159-531
Atossa arrives in a chariot, the Persian elders and Chorus prostrate (proskynesis). Atossa shares her own concerns with the chorus and explains the dream that she had of Xerxes attempting to yoke two women, who represent Greece and the Persian empire respectively, the Greek woman threw off the bridal and Xerxes was thrown from the chariot.
Atossa prays and purifies herself, seeing an eagle (Persia) being chased by a falcon (Greece) both these omens further add to the fear of the chorus
It is mentioned that even if Xerxes fails, he will remain king
The chorus advise Atossa to pray and evoke Darius, she thanks them and follows their advice
She is confused where Athens is and its level of strength - described as slaves to no one
Messenger Speech (in first episode)
Messenger arrives to tell chorus the army has fallen in a seemingly overwhelming Greek victory
Atossa asks for the names of those who died and details of the battle
Defeat is attributed to the Gods and Furies, a Xerxes is shown again to be hubristic
The Greek battle cry described as ‘piercing’; the Greeks are excited to fight, whereas the Persians are scared; fish vs fishermen as the Persians break rank and try to escape
A land battle is described with repeated reference to the battle of Marathon
Many Persians were lost in the escape when crossing the river Strymon
First Choral Ode: lines 532-597
The chorus explains how women will mourn the deaths and hear that the people are now blames Xerxes; they were wrong to put faith in their ships and lament that the empire will now fall as people will no longer pay tribute or be in fear to speak openly
Second Episode: lines 598-622
Atossa arrives on foot, instead of by chariot, shows Persian power and order falling
Atossa again names the Gods as the reason for their defeat and suggests to try and raise Darius from his grave to give advice, Chorus agree
Second Choral Ode: lines 623-680
Chorus pray to Darius to raise and offer his wisdom, referring to him in a God-like, one-of-a-kind way, references to his good leadership and God’s wisdom; considered a good king
Third Episode: lines 681-851 (Ghost of Darius)
The ghost of Darius appears after the chorus and Atossa make libations and asks why there is so much mourning and why he has been summoned, only Atossa is able to talk to him
Darius is dismayed by Xerxes rashness, Xerxes revered as foolish -Darius believes that a God has sent Xerxes mad
Darius states that the oracles have been fulfilled by Xerxes hubris in trying to turn the sea into land
Darius believes all Xerxes madness will cause loss of his wealth, idea of surpassing your father introduced, all other leaders have been smart and improved the empire, bad kings were removed
Darius commands to never fight against Greece again, and the chorus suggesting sending a small force to help, but Darius reveals that the Persians left in Greece will not return (battle of Platea referenced) More crimes against the Gods revealed as Persians and their punishment will be the fall of their empire with disaster affecting the Persians for 3 generations
Xerxes should not have wanted more as Zeus punished such arrogance
Darius instructs Atossa to give Xerxes some new clothes upon his return and the chorus expresses concern for the future disasters in Persia
Third Choral Ode: lines 852-908
Chorus remember the good and safe life under Darius and the glory of all his campaigns, impressive Darius never went on them himself
Now the Gods have turned against them and the empire will begin to fall and turn against them, Xerxes has bought disaster to their once rich land
Exodus: lines 909-1076
Xerxes enters, grieving for his fate
The chorus mourn the men whom Xerxes has lost and make him repeat how the admirals have dies
The chorus and Xerxes exchange their sorrowful thoughts on the Persian defeat; the chorus who don’t shown Xerxes any respect
the mourning divulges into nonsensical lines and the lyric meter from the beginning of the play is lost
Key imagery: The Yoke
An example of Persian arrogance, as shown in Atossa’s dream, the forceful connection of Asia and Greece over the Hellespont
Key imagery: Chariot
the excessive wealth of the empire and through its loss, the reduction in power and pride of the monarchy and empire
Key imagery: The quiver
Has implications of cowardice as the Greeks thought it honorable to fight up close to your enemy, not stay safe from afar - and is a significantly Persian weapon
Key imagery: The clothing
Embodies the extravagance, wealth and pride of the Persians; they get plainer as the play progresses and Xerxes appears in rags (the transformation to ruin)
Key imagery: The role of parents
a connection to royal blood and the differences between the young and old; Parents (Atossa and Darius) as wise and morally good, Child (Xerxes) impulsive and morally bad
Key context of ‘The Persians’
Performed in 472BCE
First play to have multiple actors on stage
First and foremost a tragedy
The aims of the play
- Warn the Athenian audience of the consequences of Hubris (first performance = 472 BCE - Athenian empire = 478BCE)
- Blame Xerxes for the war and celebrate Athenian power
- Humanise the Persians
Aeschylus Background
From a rich family - born to a Eupatrid in Eleusis c.525
Gained fame from being a solider
He and his brother Cynegeiros fought at Marathon and witnessed the destruction of Athens
Lived with the war and fear of the war in 490BCE
Lived in the ruins of Athens
Oldest of celebrated playwrights
Only seven plays are still known
Chorus’ hopeful questions
But when will they return - Xerxes our king
And all his gold clad armament?
The prophesy
Terms; to seek on land her fame;
Din of horsemen, clash of towers,
Sack of cities - these were ours.
Greek battle cry
‘Forward you sons of Hellas! set your country free! Set free your sons, your wives, tombs of your ancestors, And temples of your gods. All is at stake: now fight!
Chorus’ criticisms
Who led them forth but Xerxes?
Who sealed their death but Xerxes?
Whose error sent our all to sail in ships,
And lost it all but Xerxes?
The prophesy
Terms; to seek on land her fame;
Din of horsemen, clash of towers,
Sack of cities - these were ours.
Greek battle cry
‘Forward you sons of Hellas! set your country free! Set free your sons, your wives, tombs of your ancestors, And temples of your gods. All is at stake: now fight!
Chorus’ criticisms
Who led them forth but Xerxes?
Who sealed their death but Xerxes?
Whose error sent our all to sail in ships,
And lost it all but Xerxes?
Atossa’s libation to Darius
With solemn chants summon Darius from his grave,
While I, in honour of the gods who rule bellow,
Pour out these gifts to sink into the thirsty ground
Darius’ response to Xerxes’ actions
‘Some god I fear, whose power robbed Xerxes of his wits’
‘How swiftly came the fulfilment of old prophesies!’
‘Never set arms in motion against Hellene soil.
You cannot win; the land itself fights on their side.’
‘Let no man,
Scorning the fortune that he has, in greed for more,
Pour out his wealth in utter waste.’
Xerxes’ lamentations
Fortune and joy have left me,
And sorrow takes their place
