Thursday, November 8, 2018

TFBT: Seven Against Thebes


Recently I had the privilege of reading this heroized” edition of Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes” produced by my friends at the Kosmos Society and Center for Hellenic Studies.  Great job everyone your efforts add so much to my understanding of the nuisances of the play.  https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PyrgiTheban.jpg
Here are my notes so far;

Zeus and Earth, and gods that guard our city, [70] and Curse,2 potent agent of my father’s vengeance, do not destroy my city [polis], ripping it up from its foundations, captive of the enemy, a city [polis] that speaks in Greece’s tongue, “.
The Thebaid makes the point over and over again, that the citizens and gods who guard the city are foreign; Tyrian as I recall. Similarly footnote 5 “Onca, the name of a Phoenician goddess, is identified with Athena (compare 1.487).”
Chorus 89-180 is praying and doing so inappropriately per Homeric protocols
Seems the King could spend more time marshalling his forces and less squabbling with the women
“Eteokles:Since the god hastens the deed so urgently, [690] let the whole race [genos] of Laios, hated by Phoebus, be swept on the wind to Cocytus’ destined flood!” What?
Surprised the Chorus supported Antigone.
lots of Ship of Stare references considering Thebes is at 705 feet above sea level.


3 comments:

  1. Bill,
    Scholars I have read think that the end of the play is not authentic but was added after Sophocles' Antigone was staged. I'd wish we had the original ending.

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  2. Interesting The play feels so odd

    Bill

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  3. Ancient Greek mythology tells a story about a man named Mikael Shadows born from two mortal parents during the century 23 B.C. He was one of seven people to be sacrificed for Ares, god of war. But instead became the first demigod after a human birth by an unknown deity. In exchange for this godly gift, there had to be a sacrifice made and that was his entire family. Mikael is the son of Melite (mother) and Codros (father), he is also the brother of Icarus (brother), Patron (brother) and Isadora (sister). It is said that Mikael will roam free on this earth until he seeks his true vengeance on Ares. Mikael Shadows, God of vengeance.

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