Ajax

Name: Ajax
Author: Sophocles

Sophocles, translated by Francis Storr

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Argument

The arms of Achilles, claimed by Ajax as the bravest warrior in the host, were through intrigue given to Odysseus, and Ajax vows vengeance both on the winner and on the awarders of the prize. But Athena, his patron goddess, whom his arrogance has estranged, sends him a delusion so that he mistakes for his foes the sheep and cattle of the Greeks. Athena, when the play opens, is discovered conversing with Odysseus outside the tent of Ajax; she will show him his mad foe mauling the beasts within. The mad fit passes and Ajax bewails his insensate folly and declares that death alone can wipe out the shame. His wife Tecmessa and the Chorus try to dissuade him, but he will not be comforted and calls for his son Eurysaces. The child is brought, and after leaving his last injunctions for his brother Teucer, Ajax takes a tender farewell. He then fetches his sword from the tent and goes forth declaring that he will purge himself of his stains and bury his sword. Presently a Messenger from the camp announces that Teucer has returned from his foray and has learnt from Calchas, the seer, that if only Ajax can be kept within the camp for that day all may yet be well. The Chorus and Tecmessa set forth in quest of Ajax, and Tecmessa discovers him lying transfixed by his sword. Teucer finds the mourners gathered round the corpse and is preparing to bury him, when Menelaus hurries up to forbid the burial. After an angry wrangle with Teucer, Menelaus departs, but is succeeded by Agamemnon, who enforces his brother’s veto and is hardly persuaded by Odysseus to relent. Ajax is carried by his Salaminians to his grave, a grave (so they prophesy) that shall be famous for all time.

Dramatis Personae

Athena
Odysseus, King of Ithaca
Ajax, son of Telamon and Euboea, leader of the men of Salamis
Tecmessa, his captive wife, daughter of Teleutas, King of Phrygia
Eurysaces, their infant son
Treucer, son of Telamon by Hesione
Menelaus, King of Sparta
Agamemnon, his brother, captain of the host
Messenger, one of Ajax’s men
Chorus, mariners of Salamis

Scene: The shore on the Northern coast of the Troad before the tent of Ajax. Time: Early morning.

restoring your place…

fetching the rest…

More by Sophocles

Antigone
An hour's read that leaves a bruise: a young woman buries her brother knowing it will kill her, and Creon digs in until it costs him everything. If you like arguments where both sides have a point and neither will bend, this is the one.
Electra
Fair warning, this is grief held at a scream for most of its length, Electra pacing outside the palace refusing to let her father's murder go quiet. But when she cradles the urn she believes holds her brother's ashes, the scene wrecks you every time.
Oedipus Rex
You watch Oedipus investigate the plague-stricken Thebes with fierce intelligence and a stubborn faith in truth, even as every answer makes his position more precarious. The play is spare, formal, and emotionally severe, but its pressure builds with remarkable clarity, leaving you thinking about knowledge, responsibility, and what you can bear to learn.

Argument

Dramatis Personae

Athena

Odysseus, King of Ithaca

Ajax, son of Telamon and Euboea, leader of the men of Salamis

Tecmessa, his captive wife, daughter of Teleutas, King of Phrygia

Eurysaces, their infant son

Treucer, son of Telamon by Hesione

Menelaus, King of Sparta

Agamemnon, his brother, captain of the host

Messenger, one of Ajax’s men

Chorus, mariners of Salamis

Scene: The shore on the Northern coast of the Troad before the tent of Ajax. Time: Early morning.

More by Sophocles

Antigone

An hour's read that leaves a bruise: a young woman buries her brother knowing it will kill her, and Creon digs in until it costs him everything. If you like arguments where both sides have a point and neither will bend, this is the one.

Electra

Fair warning, this is grief held at a scream for most of its length, Electra pacing outside the palace refusing to let her father's murder go quiet. But when she cradles the urn she believes holds her brother's ashes, the scene wrecks you every time.

Oedipus Rex

You watch Oedipus investigate the plague-stricken Thebes with fierce intelligence and a stubborn faith in truth, even as every answer makes his position more precarious. The play is spare, formal, and emotionally severe, but its pressure builds with remarkable clarity, leaving you thinking about knowledge, responsibility, and what you can bear to learn.