1. Agamemnon I

2. Agamemnon I. The watchman’s speech (1-39) –A. N.B. Clytemnestra has “male strength of heart” (11) –B. Something is wrong in the royal house (17, 19) –C. He’s loyal to the king (30-31) –D. Watchman is afraid to speak of the trouble (35-39) II. Parodos: The chorus of Argive elders enters (40- 263) –A. Eagle simile, hint at Iphigeneia (40-59)

3. Agamemnon (cont.) –B. Chorus describes itself; n.b. baby, both themselves and Orestes (72-75) –C. Clytemnestra’s sacrifices (76-103) –D. Chalcas’ prophecy at Aulis (104-159) »1. The portent: 2 eagles devour a pregnant hare (104- 121) »2. Chalcas’ prophecy; n.b. Artemis’ anger (122-139) »3. Chalcas’ prayer to Apollo (140-155) »4. Chorus comments (156-159) –F. Chorus prays to Zeus (160-183)

4. Agamemnon (cont.) –G. Aulis (184-254) »1. The winds are opposed (184-198) »2. Chalcas speaks (198-204) »3. Agamemnon acquiesces (205-216) »4. The sacrifice (217-254) –H. They introduce Clytemnestra and ask for news: note the irony (255-263) III. Clytemnestra speaks (264-354) –A. The Greeks have taken Troy (264-267)

5. Agamemnon (cont.) –B. Stichomythia c. chorus; note Clytemnestra’s tone (268- 280) –C. Clytemnestra tells of the signal fires (281-316) –D. The chorus ask to hear the story again (317-319) –E. Clytemnestra instead tells of the war (320-350) »1. Note Clytemnestra’s knowledge of war (326-337) »2. N.B. 338-342: The lesser Ajax raped Cassandra in the temple of Athena »3. Note irony in 347-350 »4. Ironic wish: no new harm (345-347) »5. False humility; cf. the watchman’s speech in 11 (348)

6. Agamemnon (cont.) –F. Chorus responds (351-354) IV. 1st stasimon (355-502) –A. On Paris and the Trojans; n.b. portrayal of Persuasion (355-402) –B. On Helen; simultaneously describes Clytemnestra (404- 419) –C. Dreams; the troubles affected all (420-436) –D. The slaughter; the Greeks grow angry with Agamemnon and Menelaos (437-455) –E. Divine jealousy (456-474)

7. Agamemnon (cont.) –F. The chorus still doubt (475-487) –G. The chorus introduce the messenger (488-502)