Michael Davis - The Philosophy of Tragedy (3): Clytemnestra

He had no way to flee or right his destiny-

our never-ending, all embracing net, I cast it

wide for the royal haul, I coil him round and round

in the wealth, the robes of doom, and then I strike him

once, twice, and at each stroke he cries in agony-

he buckles at the knees and crashes here!

...

So he goes down, and the life is bursting out of him

great sprays of blood, and the murderous shower

wounds me, dyes me black and I, I revel

like the Earth when the spring rains come down,

the blessed gifts of god, and the new green spear

splits the sheath and rips to birth in glory!

...

It is right, and more than right. He flooded

the vessel of our proud house with misery,

with the vintage of the curse and now

he drains the dregs. My lord is home at last.

-Clytemnestra, Agamemnon, 1401-1423, trans R. Fagles.

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Original YouTube playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiyEzRZtxXGU

Thumbnail Photo:

The Mask of Agamemnon

Original writing:

williamengels.substack.com

Enjoy.