A Fragment from the Agamemnon of Aeschylos
The narrative unfolds in the courtyard of the Palace at Argos, where Cassandra, a prophetess cursed to be disbelieved, grapples with her foreboding visions of death and destruction. As she stands alone, she perceives ominous signs: blood on the lintel and the haunting presence of the ghosts of her murdered children. Her prophetic insights reveal a grim fate awaiting both herself and Agamemnon, her lord, as she envisions a fatal bath, a net, and an axe. Despite her desperate warnings, Cassandra's prophecies are met with skepticism and mockery from the chorus of old men, who represent the foolishness and indecision of the populace. They dismiss her insights as mere fabrications, failing to recognize the impending doom until it is too late. Agamemnon's cry of despair echoes from within the palace, confirming Cassandra's dire predictions. Cassandra expresses a longing for escape from her tragic fate, wishing for the freedom of a nightingale, yet she is resigned to the ruin that awaits her. The chorus questions her mental state, bewildered by her dark visions and the sorrowful tone of her prophecies. Cassandra laments the devastation of her homeland, reflecting on the futility of prayers and sacrifices made to avert disaster. As she mourns the destruction of her city and the loss of her loved ones, she acknowledges the inevitability of death, which she sees as the only relief from her suffering. The work captures themes of fate, the burden of knowledge, and the tragic consequences of disbelief, culminating in a poignant exploration of despair and the human condition.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1876 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Poetry · 794 words
First lines
Lines 1140-–-1173
The scene is the court-yard of the Palace at Argos. Agamemnon has already entered the House of Doom, and Clytemnestra has followed close on his heels. Cassandra is left alone upon the stage. The conscious terror of death and the burden of prophecy lie heavy upon her; terrible signs and visions greet her approach. She sees blood upon the lintel, and the smell of blood scares her, as some bird, from the door. The ghosts of the murdered children come to mourn with her. Her second sight pierces the Palace walls; she sees the fatal bath, the trammelling net, and the axe sharpened for her own ruin and her lord's.
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A Fragment from the Agamemnon of Aeschylos is listed on Textopian as a play by Oscar Wilde, dated 1876 CE.
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- Work type: Play
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1876 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Tragedy, Drama, Poetry, Classical Literature, Philosophical Literature
- Length: 794 words
- Structure: 1 section, 27 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Fragment from the Agamemnon of Aeschylos by Oscar Wilde
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Heracles by Euripides
- Agamemnon by Aeschylus
- The Libation Bearers by Aeschylus
- Orestes by Euripides
- The Eumenides by Aeschylus
- Hippolytus by Euripides
Genres
- Tragedy — The work explores themes of fate, death, and prophecy, characteristic of tragic literature.
- Drama — The piece is structured as a dramatic dialogue, focusing on character interactions and emotional conflict.
- Poetry — The text employs poetic language and structure, with rhythmic and lyrical elements.
- Classical Literature — The work draws from ancient Greek themes and characters, aligning it with classical literary traditions.
Tags
Tragedy · Greek Drama · Ancient Greek Literature · Mythology · Aeschylus' Style · Chorus · Dialogue · Monologue · Drama · Theatre · Performance · Classical