Unit 9

English 201:    Masterpieces of Western Literature

Chat:

• Cassandra reflects on the human condition, saying:

1350  Oh men, your destiny.
         When all is well a shadow can overturn it.
         When trouble comes a stroke of the wet sponge,
         & the picture's blotted out.  & that,
         I think that breaks the heart.
Why does this happen?  What process is at work?  Hint: this is the fundamental process that Aeschylus illustrates in these plays.  Given that what Cassandra says is true, what, if anything, can we do about it?
• Just before AG is murdered, Cassandra argues with the chorus, begging them to be decisive & to stop the assassination.  The leader of the chorus says:

1210     We spoil ourselves with scruples,
            [as] long as things go well.
Explain what this means. Have you heard this recently repeated as "political wisdom" in regard to elections?  What does it mean in our current American context?  Do you think that it is true?
• Just before AG is murdered, Cassandra repeatedly warns the chorus of what is about to happen.  The chorus is refuses to believe her.  Is this plausible, especially since the chorus has voiced philosophically deep thoughts?  Identify at least 2 motives at work in the chorus' behavior.
• The play equates the outrageous acts of AG (in killing his daughter) & KLY (in treacherously murdering her husband).  If they are not equal, both are morally indefensible.  Both acts are the result of desperation.  Each person must have felt that society was indifferent or unresponsive to an outrage.  Each person sought to rectify the outrage through a personal will-to-power effort.  Each was stunningly unsuccessful.  Explain why this must be the case.  Explain why morality & justice must be social.

1. The play opens with watchmen waiting for something.  What are they waiting for?
2. I am sure you know the expression, "cat got your tongue?" meaning that you are silent or perhaps don't know what to say.  What was the ancient Greek equivalent expression?.
3. KLY says:

275    No one takes me in with visions--senseless dreams.
Identify the literal reference.  What visions or dream is she referring to?
4. Identify the implied reference in the above quote (l.275).  What earlier incident is KLY thinking of when someone else was taken in by "senseless dreams"?
5. Explain these lines:

964    I would have sworn to tread on legacies of robes,
         at one command from an oracle, deplete the house
         [of robes or tapestries or wealth]--
         suffer the worst to bring that dear life back!
What is the implied literal contrast?  What is the implied figurative contrast?  Restate the point as directly & simply as possible.
6. KLY invites Cassandra:

1032    come inside . . . .
           . . . to share
           some victory libations
Explain the literal level.  What are libations?  How does the ritual work?  Explain the symbolism or figurative use here.  What is KLY saying?