The first episode of Libation Bearers takes about half of the play’s length, and it can conveniently be divided into three scenes. He calls out to the “boy” [slave] who is the gatekeeper, asking to be heard and let in. The play depicts the murder of Clytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae, by her son Orestes, who is duty-bound to revenge Clytemnestra’s murder of his father, Agamemnon. The Libation Bearers begins some years after the end of the Agamemnon. In the first play of the Oresteia trilogy, Agamemnon returns to Argos after ten years away at the Trojan War. Book 2. Pylades steps in at this moment, and reminds Orestes of his duty to Apollo. Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Prologue (Lines 1-21) Summary This play takes place about seven years after the events in Agamemnon. In the Libation Bearers, Orestes is the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. Clytamnestra laments, and sends Cilissa, Orestes's old nurse, to tell Aigisthos to come with his bodyguard to hear the news. His mission is to exact vengeance for Agamemnon's death upon his murderers. 1006 Words 5 Pages. Buy Study Guide. The chorus despairs at the end of the play that the cycle of bloodshed has not stopped with Orestes's action, but continues ever still. In The Libation Bearers ( Χοηφóρoι, Choēphóroi )—the second play of Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy—many years after the murder of Agamemnon, his son Orestes returns to Argos with his cousin Pylades to exact vengeance on Clytemnestra, as an order from Apollo, for killing Agamemnon. Libation Bearers: Lines 306-509 Summary Chanting, the Chorus call on the Fates to accomplish justice, to make the committer of crime suffer, the murderer be murdered. His death is announced by his servant, who cries out for Clytamnestra to come and see what's happening. Libation Bearers by Aeschylus. http://amzn.to/RIsVnn http://www.NovoPrep.comThe Libation Bearers from The Oresteia by Aeschylus | Summary As the Chorus tries to reassure him, Orestes sees the Furiesâvengeful goddesses who mean to punish him for Clytemnestraâs death. Summary of The Libation Bearers (second play in Oresteia trilogy) Links. Orestes, Agamemnon’s and Clytemnestra’s son, has returned in secret from exile with his companion Pylades. The Libation Bearers begins some years after the end of the Agamemnon.The play opens at the tomb of Agamemnon. Electra mourns her father and curses her mother. Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Parodos (Lines 22-82) Summary The chorus chant that they have been sent to mourn at the grave of Agamemnon by Clytaemestra because she has been tormented by bad dreams and hopes in this way to appease her dead husband's spirit. For I have come back home, returned to this land of mine Libation Bearers Summary. A Chorus of slave women, bringing offerings to Agamemnonâs tomb from Clytemnestra, attends her. The Oresteia of Aeschylus : The Libation Bearers Page 6 . Knowledge of the Curse on the House of Atreus and the events of Agamemnon is essential for understanding the events of The Libation Bearers. Immediately download the The Libation Bearers summary, chapter-by-chapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more - everything you need for studying or teaching The Libation Bearers. Libation Bearers Summary. Clytemnestra briefly (and falsely) laments before resolving to find Aegisthus. He wraps the two bodies in the same shroud in which Agamemnon was killed, and announces to the world that he has carried out the commands of Justice. ELECTRA: daughter of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, sister of Orestes. The Oresteia of Aeschylus : The Libation Bearers Page 3 Orestes Lord Hermes, guide to the dead and guardian of my father's realm be now my safeguard and companion in answer to my prayers. The Chorus reemerges, praying to the gods to guide Orestes. The trilogy as a whole, originally performed at the annual Dionysia festival in Athens in 458 BCE, where it won first prize, is considered to be Aeschylus ‘ … Translated by Smyth, Herbert Weir. The Libation Bearers Plot Summary. The Libation Bearers. Orestes is tormented by the furies for killing his mother, but goes on trial to get them to go away and wins, Furies turn into protectors. Characters. Loeb Classical Library Volumes 145 & 146. Parados 26-81 “The Libation Bearers” (Gr: “Choephoroi” ) is the second of the three linked tragedies which make up “The Oresteia” trilogy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, preceded by “Agamemnon” and followed by “The Eumenides” . First performed in 458 BC, Libation Bearers is the second play in Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy, preceded by Agamemnon and followed by Eumenides. Electra explains that she was sent to the grave by their mother, Clytamnestra, to bring libations to Agamemnon in the hope she could quiet the source of Clytamnestra's terrible dreams. This is the second of a cycle of three plays written by the Greek playwright Aeschylus. In the third and final play, Eumenides, Orestes is put on trial in Athens for his crimes. Libation Bearers: Novel Summary (in the Greek text—the translations vary) Summary The scene is the mound that marks the grave of Agamemnon and the space around it. You can view our. SERVANT: house slave serving in the royal palace. Before leaving the grave, Orestes asks the Chorus why Clytemnestra sent offerings to her hated husbandâs tomb. Apollo has threatened him with horrible punishments, including leprosy and further exile, if he does not agree to accept this quest. (Part 1 is called Agamemnon, and Part 3 is called Eumenides.) Electra and the chorus are complicit, and disappear back into the palace. ORESTES: son of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, brother of Electra. Orestes, who has been exiled from Argos for many years, prays to Hermes, the god of the dead, to give him strength. Summary and Analysis The Eumenides: Prologue (Lines 1-63) Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Exodos (Lines 971-1074) Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Fourth Episode (Lines 837-933) Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Third Episode (Lines 649-778) Clytaemnestra has sent them to bring libations for the dead to quiet their spirits. In Libation Bearers, Orestes, the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, returns to Argos after several years and avenges his father's murder by killing his mother and her lover. (including. He stabs her, and the chorus rejoices. In “The Libation Bearers”, the vulnerability of women is shown through Electra and the Chorus of slave women, and the usurping female Clytemnestra is contrasted with male rightful authority, embodied first in Agamemnon and then in Orestes. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In it, after mourning her father, cursing her mother, and praying for her brother, the v… Together, Orestes and Electra plot to avenge Agamemnon's death. The Libation Bearers is an ancient Greek tragedy, written in the middle of the fifth century BCE by the Athenian playwright Aeschylus. She then follows his footprints and the two joyfully reunite. As they do, Orestesâ sister, Electra, enters. He hesitates at the crucial moment, however, when Clytamnestra bares her breast to him and implores him to respect their filial bonds. Orestes and Electra, encouraged by the chorus, discuss how much they love their father and hate their mother, and pray together in order to invoke the spirit of Agamemnon to come to their aid in their quest for vengeance. In the heyday of Athenian tragedy – and Aeschylus's work is definitely from the heyday – all three parts of a trilogy would be performed back-to-back on a single day. Orestes enters, having grown up and returned in secret from exile. Now disguised, Orestes and Pylades wait at the gates of the palace. Orestes reveals to the Chorus and to Electra that the god Apollo has sent him to Argos to avenge Agamemnonâs death. In this case, Agamemnon’s grave. Many years after king Agamemnon's murder at the hands of his wife Clytamnestra and her lover Aigisthos, his son Orestes returns home with Pylades to mourn at his grave. Libation Bearers (in the Greek text—the translations vary) Summary The scene is the mound that marks the grave of Agamemnon and the space around it. He claims to be a stranger bearing sad news of the death of Orestes. She's a sympathetic character, grieving, confused, and without agency or options. (Oresteia) Terrified, he runs offstage, as the Chorus wonders whether the endless cycle of vengeance will ever come to a close. Orestes, the son of Agamemnon, has come back home from exile to avenge Agamemnon's death. From a distance, they spy Orestes’ sister Electra, accompanied by the chorus of enslaved women. Although she does not understand why the chorus seems so gleeful, since she assumes that Orestes is dead, Cilissa does as she is told. Instant downloads of all 1441 LitChart PDFs He cuts a lock of his hair to honor his father and reveals his intention to avenge Agamemnonâs death. Harvard Universrity Press. The Libation Bearers is the second part of Aeschylus ' great trilogy, the Oresteia. The Libation Bearers [Choephoroi] 458 BC Dramatis Personae ORESTES: son of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, brother of Electra. In Greek, the play is the Choephori, which means the Libation Bearers – the people who pour out offerings on a grave. The Libation Bearers begins at the burial mound of Agamemnon (the king of Argos and the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War), who died in the play’s prequel— Agamemnon —at the hands of his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Libation Bearers Summary. Who wrote the Libation Bearers? However, now that the deed is finally done, Orestes falls victim to the Furies's retributive violence. He then relates his plan: he and Pylades will disguise themselves as guests, and when inside the palace, they will murder both Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. The trilogy follows the murders within the House of Atreus, an elite Greek household. Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, returns to his hometown, Argos, after years in exile during the Trojan War. Alarmed at all the shouting, Clytamnestra appears and immediately realizes that something is horribly wrong. As was common in many of the competitions, there was also a satyr play, the lost Proteus. Back to Top of Page. Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: Prologue (Lines 1-21) Summary This play takes place about seven years after the events in Agamemnon. During The Libation Bearers she tries to figure out her own role in the family and how she can play a part in its redemption. His wife Clytemnestra, who has been ruling the kingdom in his absence, murders him and his concubine Cassandra. The play opens at Agamemnon’s burial mound in Argos, before which stand Orestes (Agamemnon’s son) and his faithful companion Pylades. 1926. The play Libation Bearers was written by one of the greatest of all Greek tragedians Aeschylus (c. 525-455 BCE). Teachers and parents! . Orestes, however, is too quick for her, and despite the fact that his mother both pleads and threatens (warning that she will put a âcurseâ on him if he kills her), he drags her within the palace and murders her on top of Aegisthusâ body. The slave who answers his calling and knocking asks him where he’s from. A manic Orestes winds the corpses in the shroud in which they had trapped Agamemnon to murder him. The Libation Bearers begins at the burial mound of Agamemnon (the king of Argos and the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War), who died in the playâs prequelâAgamemnonâat the hands of his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. The doors open, and she sees Orestes over the fallen body of Aigisthos. They describe their grief, which expresses itself in flowing blood and torn clothing. The themes of Eumenides include the nature of revenge, the rule of law, and the intervention of higher powers in human affairs. They mention examples of wicked women before turning in particular to Clytemnestra, asserting that the gods detest creatures such as her and that Justice and Fate will soon punish her. The climax of the play follows, as Orestes resolves to carry out his vengeance on his mother. Libation Bearers is the second play in a trilogy of tragedies by Aeschylus entitled the Oresteia. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Libation Bearers! CHORUS: slave women captured at Troy and serving the royal palace at Argos. For as things are we are as purchased slaves and exiles because of our mother, who turned you her husband over for Aegisthus, the man who shared in the guilt of your death. Cambridge, MA. Orestes is accompanied by a friend, Pylades. … Aeschylus was the great father of drama in the West, and this … Our, "Sooo much more helpful than SparkNotes. Dramatis Personae. The siblings and the slave women pray to the gods for vengeance, and reiterate their loyalty to the deceased Agamemnon. The Plot of the Libation Bearers. The Libation Bearers Many years after king Agamemnon's murder at the hands of his wife Clytamnestra and her lover Aigisthos, his son Orestes returns home with Pylades to mourn at his grave. The play takes place in Argos, Greece, several years after the murder of Argive king Agamemnon by his wife, Clytaemnestra. SERVANT: house … Orestes prays to Hermes, begging for help, now that he has returned from exile, and he calls out to his father. The play opens at the tomb of Agamemnon. The Libation Bearers is the second part of Aeschylus ' great trilogy, the Oresteia. Thyestes was forced to flee. It has been said that Athens left the world two masterpieces of surpassing beauty: the Parthenon and the Oresteia. The last of these, however, is usually attributed by modern scholars to an unknown playwright. The first stop he makes is to his father's tomb outside of the city, where he laments and leaves a lock of hair as a symbol of mourning. At Agamemnon's grave, Orestes prays to Hermes that he might avenge his father's murder. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The Libation Bearers is the only Oresteia play in which Electra appears. Orestes and Pylades enter. With the eager support of the chorus, Orestes concocts a plan wherein he will gain admittance to the palace and kill Aigisthos on the throne. Orestes prays to Hermes, begging for help, now that he has returned from exile, and he calls out to his father. While standing at Agamemnon's grave, Orestes meets up with his sister Electra, whom he has not seen since he was a child. The Chorus explains that the queen had a terrible dream in which she gave birth to a serpent that then killed her. Although confused, Cilissa agrees to do as they ask. Libation Bearers: Novel Summary (in the Greek text—the translations vary) Summary The scene is the mound that marks the grave of Agamemnon and the space around it. Libation Bearers Study Guide. Dr. J's Aeschylus' Libation Bearers (Choephoroe) Summary and Passages (this summary needs a little more work, but use what's here for now) Prologue 1-25. Analysis. Orestes returns to Argos several years after the murder of Agamemnon, accompanied by his friend, Pylades.He leaves a lock of hair at his father’s grave. The Libation Bearers is the second play in the trilogy of tragedies. Orestes wonders if he himself is the serpent. CHORUS: slave women captured at Troy and serving the royal palace at Argos. Summary The chorus members, slave women working at the Argos royal palace, have been sent to take "libations for the dead." Orestes has been living in exile and has come back to Argos in secret, sent by an oracle of Apollo. Summary Of The Libation Bearers. Aigisthos appears briefly on stage, after which he goes back into the palace to meet Orestes. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Summary. Unexpectedly, Clytamnestra comes to the door when Orestes knocks, thus forcing him to fabricate a story about his origins. ELECTRA: daughter of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, sister of Orestes. Aeschylus. Orestes and his companion, Pylades, visit Agamemnon's grave. The chorus intervenes, intercepting Clytamnestra's message, and tells Cilissa to compel Aigisthos to come alone, without his guard. Orestes lives an exile from his fortune and his place, while they in arrogance Orestes incoherently laments his fatherâs death and his own guilt, stating that he must now exile himself from Argos. Recognition Scene The first one of these three is famously known as the recognition scene. Orestes lies, telling her that her son is dead. In The Libation Bearers (Χοηφóρoι, Choēphóroi)—the second play of Aeschylus' Oresteia trilogy—many years after the murder of Agamemnon, his son Orestes returns to Argos with his cousin Pylades to exact vengeance on Clytemnestra, as an order from Apollo, for killing Agamemnon. Plays / Aeschylus / Libation Bearers. The Curse on the House of Atreus began with a feud between two brothers, Atreus and Thyestes. He orders the slave to announce him to those who rule … Libation Bearers: Lines 653-837 Read More » Struggling with distance learning? The Chorus urges her to tell him of Orestesâ demise in order to put him at ease. . LitCharts Teacher Editions. I live the life of a slave myself. After many years in exile, Agamemnon's son Orestes has returned to the city of Argos, prompted by Apollo's oracle to avenge his father's death. The play begins outside the Greek city of Argos, some years after the end of Agamemnon, Part 1of Aeschylus's Oresteia trilogy. The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus (Oresteia, 2017). As the Chorus prays again, Aegisthus enters, wondering if Orestes is really dead, and resolving to question the mysterious travelers himself. The Oresteia Trilogy (Agamemnon, Libation Bearers or Choephori and The Eumenides), 7. Summary Orestes and Pylades approach the door and Orestes knocks. Before the play begins . He exits, and then the Chorus hears a scream coming from inside the palaceâOrestes has murdered Aegisthus. The Libation Bearers, Lines 1-633. Libation Bearers is the second play in a trilogy of tragedies by Aeschylus entitled the Oresteia. It has been said that Athens left the world two masterpieces of surpassing beauty: the Parthenon and the Oresteia. There is a protracted recognition scene and then a subsequent joyful reunion. The play is set in front of the palace of Argos, where, many years after the murder of his father Agamemnon by his mother Clytemnestra and her partner, Aegisthus, Orestes returns from exile … The work is the last in a trilogy called known as Oresteia; the first two plays are Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers. As they do, Orestesâ old nurse, Cilissa, enters, lamenting the princeâs supposed death and looking for Aegisthus. Orestes, Agamemnonâs and Clytemnestraâs son, has returned in secret from exile with his companion Pylades. He goes mad and flees the stage in the direction of Delphi, where he will seek refuge at Apollo's shrine. Orestes is pissed that his mom killed his dad so he kills his mom and her lover. (Oresteia) Eumenidies Summary. For a more detailed look, see the ClassicNote on Agamemnon. Hearing others approaching, the men hide behind the tomb. Winning first prize at the Dionysia competition in 458 BCE, Libation Bearers was the second play in the trilogy The Oresteia; the remaining two tragedies were Agamemnon and Eumenides. Book 3. As she prays for her brother, and for vengeance, Electra notices Orestesâ hair and compares it to her own. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Summary. Orestes regains his resolve and deflects all of Clytamnestra's pitiful arguments. He leaves a lock of hair and hides when the women approach. The way the content is organized, “Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. The Chorus meditates on the bravery of men, and the treachery of women. Orestes and Pylades enter. Characters Orestes enters, having grown up and returned in secret from exile. Prometheus Bound. The Libation Bearers Introduction + Context. Libation Bearers: Novel Summary. A wounded servant rushes in to warn Clytemnestra, who emerges and calls for an axe to defend herself. Orestes and Pylades enter. Summary and Analysis The Choephori, or The Libation Bearers: First Stasimon (Lines 305-476) Summary Orestes, Electra, and the chorus chant responsively a … When they finally enter, Clytemnestra meets them. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.”. Orestes and Electra engage in wishful thinking about how their father could have lived, but the chorus urges them to focus on the present and to act on their anger. See a complete list of the characters in The Libation Bearers and in-depth analyses of … Plot Summary. Aeschylus was the great father of drama in the West, and this trilogy provides the bulk of what we know about his ideas. Orestes prays to Hermes, begging for help, now that he has returned from exile, and he calls out to his father. Summary of The Libation Bearers (second play in Oresteia trilogy) Links. Detailed Summary & Analysis Lines 1-585 Lines 586-652 Lines 653-718 Lines 719-1065 Themes All Themes Revenge Gender Roles Fate, the Gods, and Piety Familial Bonds Violence, Death, and the Dead Quotes. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts.