BY

G.E. FARRELL

Scene: The play opens at the army camp at Aulis on the east coast of Greece in 1186 B.C. The scene is the interior of the tent of Menelaus, king of Sparta. With him is Odysseus. They are costumed in modern military dress. Outside the tent can be heard the waves on the shore and the wind that is stirring those waves. The two men sit in the large tent looking dejected, almost shocked. They do not speak for a long moment.

Menelaus:

There must be another way.

Odysseus:

Tell me what it is. I'll do anything. (They are silent for a long moment.) She's a beautiful girl.

Menelaus:

Every bit the princess. Were I not her uncle, I might be a suitor. We could give up the expedition.

Odysseus:

Would you release us all from our oath to defend your marital rights?

Menelaus:

Rather than this..... Perhaps we can send in a small number to kidnap her from Paris as he did from me. Yes, I will go with them. The great Achilles can lead us; I'll accept second in command to him. Yes.

Odysseus:

It has been decided. We're fated to topple the towers of Illium. It is written and cannot be changed.

Menelaus:

This was not written. Nor was it written that I must be a part of it.

Odysseus:

Would you really give up Helen?

Menelaus:

Not willingly. But to sacrifice one innocent to save another is wrong.

Odysseus:

Will you say the same tomorrow? It doesn't matter. We have no choice.

Menelaus:

We must tell him. You must tell him.

Odysseus:

I? You're his brother.

Menelaus:

But you are famed for your wisdom and cleverness.

Odysseus:

Wisdom and cleverness are not what is needed now. Courage and tenderness are required. You are more suited to such a task than I.

Menelaus:

Does that mean that you lack courage?

Odysseau:

No, but perhaps the tenderness necessary can best be expressed by a sibling rather than a comrade in arms.

Menelaus:

He'll think I made it up to hasten the recapture of my wife.

Odysseus:

Does your brother have so little faith in you?

Menelaus:

How can I tell him this? How can anybody?

Scene: On a hill overlooking the harbor is the tent of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and commander in chief of the Greek army. The tent, a large and handsome shelter befitting a king, is pitched on a hill that overlooks the harbor and encampment of the army. Below can be seen the tents of the soldiers and the thousands of masts of the ships in the harbor.

The soldiers are just lighting their fires in the fading light. A flag atop the tent of Agamemnon shows that a strong wind in blowing off the water while the shadows show that the sun is going down behind the tent. A chair is set out before the tent. However, Agamemnon does not sit but paces before the tent. He stops pacing for a moment to look up at the flag blowing in the wind. Then he paces again. After a moment he stops again to gaze down upon the army below. He then paces again.

Cleon enters carrying a saddle. Cleon is an elderly servant to the king. Upon seeing him enter, Agamemnon drops into his chair. Cleon nods deferentially and goes into the tent. He returns a moment later without the saddle.

Cleon:

Your horses have been exercised and groomed, my lord.

Agamemnon:

Thank you.

Cleon:

Shall I serve your dinner, my lord?

Agamemnon:

No, not yet. I'm not hungry.

Cleon:

Are you unwell, my lord?

Agamemnon:

I wish I were. I wish I were dying rather than do what I must. You are fortunate not to have been born a king, Cleon. Or to be a commander.

Cleon:

Yes, my lord.

Agamemnon:

For all of our wealth and power, we cannot control the wind. If it doesn't change soon we may have to disband the army and abandon the campaign against Troy. We'll soon have too few supplies to support the expedition. I'm at my wit's end. Even Odysseus is without suggestion. For the first time since I've known him he has no advice for me.

Creon:

That is indeed rare, my lord.

Agamemnon:

How am I to tell my brother Menelaus that his wife will have to remain at Troy because the wind won't let us sail? (He rises impatiently.) No! There must be a way to get the fleet under weigh. I've given my pledge to go to Troy and retake Helen from them and return her to her husband. Though between you and me, I don't know why he wants her back. Beautiful she is but she ran off with that sheepherder. Menelaus should be glad to be rid of the strumpet. Love is unfathomable.

Cleon:

Yes, my lord.

Agamemnon:

You're not very talkative today, Creon. Have you no advice for me?

Creon:

It is not for a servant to advise a king, my lord.

Agamemnon:

It never stopped you before.

Creon:

Even a great king cannot command the wind, my lord. That is the realm of the gods.

Agamemnon:

Yes, and I've sacrificed and prayed and asked for omens but the wind still blows from the east. Our ships might as well be in a bottle with a cork in its end so long as it blows like this. Who is that approaching?

Creon:

I can't make them out, sire.

Agamemnon:

It's Menelaus and Odysseus. I fear that we're in for another session of lecture and advice, my old friend. Tell them that I cannot command the wind. They seem to think that I've raised it on purpose to lengthen the time of my appointment. If only they knew how much I'd like to put it down. You'd best bring some wine for them. They're always thirsty from having their mouths open so much. Don't tell them that I said that though.

Creon:

No, my lord. (Creon goes into the tent as Menelaus and Odysseus enter.)

Odysseus:

Good evening, General.

Agamemnon:

General, is it? What brings you here?

Odysseus:

Must we have a reason to visit our commander?

Agamemnon:

You're very quiet, Menelaus.

Odysseus:

You seem suspicious.

Agamemnon:

Do I? (Creon re-enters with wine and cups which he gives to the two visitors. He then pours the wine for them.) Thank you.

Creon:

My lords. (He exits again.)

Odysseus:

Creon has been with you for a long time.

Agamemnon:

He came with my wife and has been a loyal servant.

Odysseus:

And advisor.

Agamemnon:

Yes, he has at times told me what he thinks when I have asked his opinion.

Odysseus:

This wine is excellent.

Menelaus:

(To Odysseus) Must you be circumspect in all things? Can't you get to the point?

Agamemnon:

What point? Have you some plan to move the army?

Odysseus:

No. Not exactly. We have consulted Calchus, the seer. He said that the gods are angry with us and have sent the wind to punish us.

Agamemnon:

I have tried to propitiate the gods with prayers and sacrifices. Only a few minutes ago, I was telling Creon the same thing. Yet, the wind continues. I confess that I don't know what to do to get this army to Troy.

Odysseus:

The gods require another sacrifice to stay the gale.

Agamemnon:

Another? Tell me what to sacrifice and I'll do it. Anything to get under weigh. (The two are silent.) Well? What should I sacrifice?

Menelaus:

(Quietly) Iphigenia.

Agamemnon:

What?

Odysseus:

Iphigenia.

Agamemnon:

My daughter? You want me to sacrifice my daughter? My child? My Iphigenia?

Menelaus:

The gods demand it.

Agamemnon:

No. I won't do it. Disband the army.

Menelaus:

We can't disband the army. We must go to Troy.

Agamemnon:

Must we? Must we go to Troy to take back your wife at the cost of my daughter? My innocent daughter? No, I won't do it.

Menelaus:

My wife was taken by force.

Agamemnon:

I don't care how she was taken or why, I'm not sacrificing my daughter to get her back.

Odysseus:

You must.

Agamemnon:

I must? Like hell I must. I am a king.

Odysseus:

A king who has sworn an oath.

Agamemnon:

I swore no oath to kill my daughter.

Menelaus:

You swore an oath to defend the marital rights of Helen's husband and sack the city of anyone who interfered with those rights. You swore that oath before my wife's father who is your father-in-law too. We were both there and swore the same oath.

Odysseus:

You swore an oath when you took command of the army to do all in your power to lead us to victory.

Agamemnon:

I never agreed to take my daughter's life for any cause. I can't do it. I won't do it.

Odysseus:

Then you must tell the army that they are not going to Troy and will receive no plunder or booty, that they must go home empty handed leaving behind the graves of their comrades who died of disease while waiting for a fair wind to carry them to Illium. Tell them to go home empty handed to their families who are relying on them for food and shelter.

Agamemnon:

I will. I will tell them that the only way for us to go to Troy is if I sacrifice my daughter who relies on me for food shelter and protection. I will then ask them whether they would make such a sacrifice. No, I'll never sacrifice my child, never. We must find another way.

Menelaus:

There is no other way.

Agamemnon:

She is your niece. How can you advise me to do this?

Menelaus:

The honor of Argos demands it. The gods require it. What else can I do?

Agamemnon:

You have held her on your knee as I have. You have felt her arms around your neck as I have. Now you condemn her to the fire so that an army can sack a city. It's shameful.

Odysseus:

It is the command of the gods.

Agamemnon:

Would you sacrifice your son for such a purpose?

Odysseus:

If the gods command it, I would obey.

Agamemnon:

Then substitute him for my daughter. I will sacrifice the son of Odysseus.

Menelaus:

The gods will not accept Odysseus' son.

Agamemnon:

And they shall not have my Iphigenia.

Odysseus:

Great king, Agamemnon of Mycenae, general of generals, we must move the army and take Troy. To do that we must appease the gods who send this wind. It is not I who ask this; it is the army, it is all of Hellas that has been disgraced by the rape of its most beautiful woman. All look to you to revenge this wrong to a people. What you must do, what you must give, what you must endure for that people is almost unendurable. To give a child, a daughter on the threshold of womanhood is a mortification beyond tolerance. No father who loves his children could even consider it, no father who is not a king and a general of generals. Were they to know of it, the entire country would sympathize with you, the entire world would weep for your dilemma as we did before we came here to make this monstrous demand known to you. But as you are a king and a soldier, your duty requires that you endure the unendurable for the sake of your nation and your army. If there were an alternative, we would gladly accept it, but there is none.

Menelaus:

Though it can be little comfort to you now or after, the world will ring with your praises when it learns what you have given to the cause of your people.

Agamemnon:

Take me. Take me for the sacrifice. My life for my country.

Odysseus:

It must be Iphigenia. Were it otherwise, I would offer myself in her place.

Menelaus:

As would I.

Agamemnon:

What have I done to suffer this affliction? What sin have I committed that I am so tried and tormented. She is the love of my life. She is the breath of my body. I cannot live without her. To be a general without the life of one's heart is meaningless. What do I care for the admiration of the people if it cost me all that makes life worth living? Take my commission, take my crown. But do not ask me to tear out my heart. Creon! Creon! Come here. Come here at once. (Creon enters from the tent.) Look at them. Look at the two of them. They have come here to tell me that I must give the life of my Iphigenia to propitiate the gods and get the army to Troy. The gods demand the sacrifice of my daughter.

Creon:

Oh, my lord. It can't be.

Odysseus:

I have not come to debate with a servant.

Menelaus:

We have no choice.

Agamemnon:

We have the choice of disbanding the army and going home, leaving your wife in the arms of Paris rather than giving my daughter's life to take her from them.

Menelaus:

I will say no more. (He exits.)

Odysseus:

I too must go. You must come to it, Agamemnon. It is bitter as life, but we have no choice. (He exits.)

Agamemnon:

I can't. I won't. (He drops into a chair with his head in his hands. Creon stands silent and watchful. After a long moment Agamemnon speaks.) Leave me please, Creon. (Creon withdraws silently as the scene ends.)

Scene: The soldiers encampment where four soldiers sit before their tent, a simple white tent held up by a wooden pole. The men sit on the ground except for the first soldier who sits on a wooden box.

First Soldier:

Our guard starts soon.

Second Soldier:

Why do we walk guard here? There is nothing to fear, no enemies, no danger.

Third Soldier:

Discipline. The general doesn't want us to get into habits that will make us weak when we meet the enemy.

First Soldier:

If we meet the enemy.

Second:

Camping, marching, guarding but no fighting. The general wouldn't have to worry about discipline and bad habits if he's take us to the battlefield. We've been on this shore for so long I've lost count of the months.

Fourth Soldier:

I don't think the general wants to fight.

First Soldier:

If not, then we should get rid of him and get a general who does.

Second Soldier:

Like who?

First Soldier:

I don't know but somebody must be willing to lead us against those damned Trojans.

Fourth Soldier:

Achilles.

First Soldier:

Right, Achilles. He'd do it.

Third Soldier:

Achilles is not a king.

Second Soldier:

So what?

Fourth Soldier:

Agamemnon is king of Mycenae, Menelaus is king of Sparta, Odysseus is king of Ithaca. They won't take orders from a lesser noble, not even from the great Achilles.

First Soldier:

They would if the army said so.

Third Soldier:

That's mutiny.

First Soldier:

I'm just talking. I'm not suggesting nothing.

Second Soldier:

Ability, courage and willingness to serve Argos should be the only qualities a general needs.

Fourth Soldier:

Then any one of us could be a general. And most of the rest of the army. We'd have all generals and no soldiers. Who'd do the fighting then?

Second Soldier:

You know what I mean.

Third Soldier:

I can't spend another week on this damned shore. Either we should go or we should disband.

First Soldier:

Disband! And do what? There's booty where we're going and hunger for unemployed soldiers. We're not disbanding, no sir.

Third Soldier:

Then we should go.

Fourth Soldier:

I heard a rumor that we will soon be going. Apparently Odysseus has found a way to sail in the face of contrary winds.

Second Soldier:

How can he do that?

Fourth Soldier:

I don't know but if there's a way, Odysseus is the man to find it.

First Soldier:

Odysseus could make a mother of a man.

Second Soldier:

Men can't be mothers.

Third Soldier:

It's just a saying.

Second Soldier:

I don't understand.

Fourth Soldier:

Let's play dice.

Third Soldier:

You've already won all of our money. What else can you win?

First Soldier:

It's time for guard duty anyway.

Second Soldier:

Damn.

First Soldier.

Orders is orders. (The four men rise, gather their gear and trudge off.)
 
 
 
 

Scene: Inside Agamemnon's tent, the king sits silently brooding with a cup of wine in his hand and an almost empty carafe on the table next to him. It is obvious that he has drunk a great deal. He drops the cup that he holds and sobs audibly.

Agamemnon:

It cannot be. Not my Iphigenia. No, it cannot be. What have I done to so offend that this affliction must be visited upon me? What have I done that I must be punished so? Take my herds and sacrifice them, take my wealth, my kingdom, my very life. But not my Iphigenia. She is innocent, a mere girl, a maiden. What justice is there that can demand such a life no matter what offense her father has committed? Justice. Malicious frivolity is what it is. I won't, damn you. I won't. I cannot betray a father's love and responsibility even to lead an army. What glory could repay the loss of so precious a treasure? The gods must be mad. Yes, an epidemic of madness must have infected the heavens. Only madness can explain it. To sacrifice my Iphigenia as though she were a calf. Madness. I won't. I can't. Let the army mutiny. Come and take me and kill me, damn you all. You scum of Argos. Take my life for you shall not have hers.

(He attempts to drink from the cup but it is empty. He throws it away from him.) You shall not have hers. I love my children dearly, but she... My firstborn. The jewel of my eye and gold of my heart. No fame can embrace a tired old man. No glory can make a sad man laugh. No title can give a lonely man its love. Yet they would have me sacrifice her to seek fame and glory on the fields of fabled Illium. And when the fame and glory have been turned to dust by relentless time, what then? Will Menelaus and Odysseus come to hold my white head? No. They will talk of the great deeds of which they have been a part while I mourn the loss of the nearest to perfection that I have ever known. Sacrifice Iphigenia. It's madness. I won't. Damn you I won't. (He staggers and falls to the floor where he falls asleep. Creon enters, picks up the cup and places it on the table. He then lifts Agamemnon from the floor and places him on his cot. He covers the sleeping king.)

Creon:

How sad it is to be a king. Because you are a king you must do what is best for your country. Because you are a king you must be guided by the needs of others. Because you are a king you will destroy that which you love more than life itself. It is sad to be a king.

And tragic to be Iphigenia. (His head sinks onto his breast in sadness as he exits and the scene fades.)

Scene: The palace at Mycenae where Queen Clytemnestra sits on a couch reading from a scroll. An old woman servant stands nearby.

Clytemnestra:

This will be fine.

Servant:

Yes, my lady. (The servant begins to exit but stops and turns toward Clytemnestra.) My lady?

Clytemnestra:

Yes?

Servant:

May I ask if there is any news from the king?

Clytemnestra:

You have a son with the army, haven't you?

Servant:

Yes, my lady.

Clytemnestra:

They are still at Aulis awaiting a fair wind. The weather has not been propitious. He doesn't know how long they'll be there.

Servant:

Thank you, my lady. (Iphigenia enters. She is a young woman of nineteen years of age and quite pretty.)

Clytemnestra:

If the truth be known, I hope they never leave these shores.

Servant:

So do I, my lady. (She exits.)

Iphigenia:

You hope who never leaves these shores.

Clytemnestra:

Have you been eaves dropping?

Iphigenia:

No, but I heard what you said when I came in.

Clytemnestra:

I hope that the army never leaves. I hope that the weather forces the abandonment of the expedition and saves the lives that will be wasted if it goes to Troy.

Iphigenia:

How can a life given for its country be wasted?

Clytemnestra:

A life given in a cause that makes little sense is wasted regardless of its owners noble intentions.

Iphigenia:

Do you consider the glory of Argos and the fulfilment of a solemn pledge senseless?

Clytemnestra:

It's little wonder that you father dotes on you; you're made in his image. I am not convinced that the glory of Argos is at issue in a war to rescue my sister. And the oath was to avenge menelaus should she be taken by force. I'm not sure that she was.

Iphigenia:

You think she went willingly to Troy?

Clytemnestra:

It's possible.

Iphigenia:

I can't believe that of her. She is too good. She must be rescued. I wish that i could go myself.

Clytemnestra:

Your father is sufficient to the task. Your duty is here at home. (The scene fades.)

Scene: The encampment where the soldiers are returning from duty. It is morning.

First Soldier:

Another day but still the same wind.

Second Soldier:

I'd do anything to turn it in our favor.

Third Soldier:

Anything?

Second Soldier:

Almost anything.

Fourth Soldier:

The fates are against us.

Second Soldier:

Why can't we just go. There must be a way to sail whether the wind blows from the east or west.

Third Soldier:

Or north and south too.

Fourth Soldier:

Not so long as our ships are propelled by the wind in their sails.

First Soldier:

The ships could be fitted with oars and we could row to Troy. That would be something to surprise those damned Trojans.

Fourth Soldier:

It takes months to train a crew to row in unison. Soldiers can't do it. Besides, by the time we got to Troy, we'd be all played out from the work. It's very hard work. Without proper training the boats would be lost. They'd end up all over the seas. Added to that the ships were built to be sailed not rowed. An entire new fleet would have to be built.

First Soldier:

You're too smart. You should be an officer since you know so much.

Second Soldier:

There must be a way.

Third Soldier:

We should go ourselves. Then we can find out if there is a way and come back and show the general.

First Soldier:

Do you know where Troy is?

Second Soldier:

Over the water. That's why we're here. That's why there are so many ships waiting to sail. Everybody knows that.

First Soldier:

Over the water. That's a good one.

Second Soldier:

It is over the water, isn't it?

Third Soldier:

I don't know.

Fourth Soldier:

Let's eat. I'm hungry.

Second Soldier:

It is over the water, isn't it? (The scene fades.)

Scene: The tent of Agamemnon where Menelaus and Odysseus enter while Agamemnon is reviewing documents strewn on a table.

Agamemnon:

Greetings.

Menelaus:

Greetings.

Odysseus:

Greetings, General.

Agamemnon:

Have you given up my daughter?

Odysseus:

It is not we who want your daughter; it's the command of the gods. If it were up to me I'd have nothing to do with such a plan.

Menelaus:

Nor I.

Agamemnon:

We have sufficient food and forage for another three months. Surely the wind will abate before then.

Menelaus:

Not without a sacrifice.

Odysseus:

Not without the sacrifice demanded by the gods.

Agamemnon:

My daughter will not be sacrificed. I've told you that.

Menelaus:

Just listen to us.

Agamemnon:

There's no reason to listen. I won't do it.

Menelaus:

Then you bring ruin upon us all and shame upon yourself and your house.

Agamemnon:

So be it. My daughter's life is worth all sacrifice.

Agamemnon:

You will have to give up command.

Agamemnon:

Why? Why should I resign?

Odysseus:

A commander must be willing to do all that is necessary to aid his army to victory.

Agamemnon:

Not what you're asking me to do.

Odysseus:

Even that.

Agamemnon:

Nonsense.

Menelaus:

Who will we get to command?

Odysseus:

You.

Menelaus:

Me?

Odysseus:

Who else?

Agamemnon:

Menelaus cannot command. He is the younger of us. He cannot command me.

Odysseus:

He will though.

Menelaus:

Yes, I will.

Agamemnon:

I'll never agree to that.

Odysseus:

You've already made your choice. If you will not be commanded you'll have to return to Mycenae while we lead the army to Troy.

Agamemnon:

Return to Mycenae! Return dishonored? Never. You talk like a drunk.

Odysseus:

(To Menelaus) I recommend that you appoint Achilles your chief of staff and main advisor. He's the greatest soldier in Argos.

Menelaus:

Yes, I will. If he'll accept it. He can be difficult. I think he has too much pride for one so young.

Odysseus:

You're right about that.

Agamemnon;

I am the greatest soldier in Argos. And commander of this army. What nonsense is this? You're trying to trick me.

Menelaus:

We're trying to convince you to listen, nothing more.

Agamemnon:

I'll listen but my mind is made up. I won't sacrifice Iphigenia even if it means disbanding the army.

Odysseus:

We can't disband the army. It will ravage all of Argos if we do. There's no power strong enough to stop it. Once let loose, the entire country will be in danger. It must go to Troy. The only way that we can get a wind to take the army to Troy is if we make the sacrifice demanded by the gods. It is not easy to sacrifice your oldest daughter, but it must be done.

Menelaus:

How many mothers and fathers are sacrificing their children to go to Troy? How many will not return and how many parents and wives will never know their fate? The gods are only demanding that you as commander in chief show the way by sacrificing your child as you are asking others to give their own.

Odysseus:

A great king must make whatever effort is necessary for his nation. Even this.

Menelaus:

We must bring her to Aulis.

Odysseus:

Send word to Mycenae that the great Achilles demands her for a wife if he is to go to Troy.

Menelaus:

Yes. Yes. That's what we'll do.

Agamemnon:

Achilles will never agree to his name being used for a ruse.

Odysseus:

We won't ask for his consent. He doesn't have to know.

Menelaus:

Then it's settled.

Agamemnon:

I haven't agreed to this.

Odysseus:

We must have a decision. (Agamemnon walks away from them. He stands with his back to them for a long moment. Menelaus attempts to speak but Odysseus stops him. Agamemnon turns back to face them.)

Agamemnon:

Achilles will never stand for it. And don't tell me he won't find out. The walls have ears in an army camp. He'll know before the sun comes up.

Odysseus:

Not if we keep it among ourselves.

Agamemnon:

You love conspiracy, Odysseus. Never do in the open what you can do on the quiet.

Odysseus:

This is a matter of state and must not be conducted in the glare of the sun. I am no more conspiratorial than anybody else but we must get the army over the sea. If Achilles learns of our plan he'll have to accept it for the good of the nation and the expedition. You and I have an oath to comply with. We cannot hold back now, even though we would both prefer top do so. You must decide.

Agamemnon:

(He is quiet for a long moment, contemplative.) My wife will never accept it.

Menelaus:

She doesn't have to know.

Agamemnon:

Everybody will know.

Odysseus:

She is your wife; you must command her.

Agamemnon:

And how do I command a mother to give up her child to death? (Odysseus and Menelaus do not respond. Agamemnon is quiet for a moment. He then speaks.) What choice have I?

Odysseus:

None.

Menelaus:

I will send a messenger to Clytemnestra.

Agamemnon:

No. They wouldn't understand if your messenger was sent; it would make them suspicious. I'll send my own messenger to Mycenae. (The scene fades.)

Scene: Mycenae where Iphigenia moves about the palace room setting flowers and humming to herself. She is apparently happy and content. She puts some flowers in her hair and dances about the room to the accompaniment of the music in her mind. She stops when Clytemnestra enters holding a piece of foolscap. She smiles at her mother.

Clytemnestra:

Your father has sent for you.

Iphigenia:

Sent for me?

Clytemnestra:

Yes. He wants you to come to him at Aulis.

Iphigenia:

That's strange, isn't it? What could I do at an army encampment?

Clytemnestra:

Be married.

Iphigenia:

Be what!

Clytemnestra:

Be married. Your father has consented to your marriage to the great Achilles. You're to be married immediately.

Iphigenia:

I don't understand.

Clytemnestra:

Achilles has demanded your hand before he will consent to lead his forces against Troy and your father has agreed. You're a very lucky young woman.

Iphigenia:

Am I? I'm to be married off to a soldier so that he will go to fight a bloody war in some foreign land. How is that lucky?

Clytemnestra:

It is not just some soldier; it is Achilles. He's the greatest soldier of the age. Kings bid for his services. He can make or break thrones, even nations. No better match could've been made.

Iphigenia:

I've never met him.

Clytemnestra:

I didn't meet your father before we married. It was arranged by our parents, but when I met him I fell in love immediately. And I still love him. Indeed, all of my sisters entered into marriages arranged for them by my father, except for helen's marriage to menelaus.

Iphigenia:

He may be ugly.

Clytemnestra:

He's purported to be among the most handsome men in all of Hellas.

Iphigenia:

But we've never seen him. He may be battle scarred and crippled.

Clytemnestra:

Nonsense. He's renowned for his ability with sword and lance. Cripples are not proficient with weapons. Cripples are not petitioned to defend nations. And if he were scarred we'd have heard tell of it. Come we must prepare to leave.

Iphigenia:

"We"? The letter asks only that I go.

Clytemnestra:

I am not going to permit my first born to go off to be married without me. I want to be there when you become the wife of the great Achilles. I want to be with you when your first child comes. I couldn't stay behind if I wanted to; I'm too excited for you.

Iphigenia:

Then we'd better hurry. (They hug and go off as the scene fades.)

Scene: The encampment where the soldiers lounge about.

Second Soldier:

My bones ache after all that exercise. I'm tired of drilling.

Third Soldier:

I don't understand why we do so much of it.

First Soldier:

Because they tell me and I tell you.

Fourth Soldier:

It's to keep our skills sharp and to give us something to do so we don't sit around griping.

Second Soldier:

How do you know so much?

Fourth Soldier:

I have an uncle who was an officer.

First Soldier:

What happened to him?

Fourth Soldier:

He retired to grow olives.

Third Soldier:

That's what I'd like to do. Olives are worth their weight in gold.

Second Soldier:

What do you know about growing olives? Or anything else for that matter.

Third Soldier:

I can learn. How hard can it be?

First Soldier:

Looks like another day of east winds. How the hell long is it going to blow like that? It's been months now. The general's got to get us off this damned shore. We'll all be growing olives here before long.

Third Soldier:

I heard--

First Soldier:

No more rumors. We've heard enough damned rumors to do us until we're dead. I'm going to see if I can find anything out. You guys wait here.

Second Soldier:

Where are you going?

First Soldier:

Never mind that. I'll be back before our guard duty. (He exits as the scene fades.)

Scene: Agamemnon's tent where he sits brooding. After a long moment, he takes some foolscap and writes on it. He then calls.

Agamemnon:

Creon. Creon. Come here. (Creon enters hurriedly.)

Creon:

Yes, my lord.

Agamemnon:

I want you to go at once to Mycenae and give this to the queen. She is not to permit Iphigenia to come to Aulis. Not under any circumstances.

Creon:

You've changed your mind, my lord.

Agamemnon:

Yes I have. I must've been mad.

Creon:

Thank the gods.

Agamemnon:

Hurry now.

Creon:

Yes. Yes, of course. (He exits hurriedly.)

Agamemnon:

I can't give my daughter no matter what the purpose or the reason. She's too precious to me. Too dependant on my love. If I must give her up it will be to a husband, not a sacrificial pyre. The gods will have to accept something else. The daughter of a king is too much to ask. Anybody's child would be too high a price whether he be king or brigand, priest or pauper. His child is sacred to him as are the gods themselves. He cannot be asked to choose between them. (He pours himself a cup of wine. While he is doing so, Menelaus and Odysseus enter pushing Creon before them.)

Menelaus:

What means this? We found this old man trying to leave the camp and go to Mycenae with this message.

Agamemnon:

How dare you interfere with my servant!

Menelaus:

How dare you interfere with the will of the gods.

Agamemnon:

I will not give my child. Whether you stopped the message or not is of no account. When she arrives, I shall send her back. I'll not go through with it.

Odysseus:

I thought that this was settled.

Agamemnon:

Have you two become joined at the hip? Never do I see one but the other is with him. What is settled is that my daughter is not to be burned to appease an angry god or a vengeful king. I took no oath to destroy my family. The oath I did take must be contingent on its being possible to comply with it. I am prepared to wait out the wind no matter how long it takes. But I am not prepared to give my daughter to the blade and the flames for any oath or promise.

Menelaus:

The wind will never change.

Agamemnon:

Nonsense. Sooner or later it will come from the west and we will be off. We need only to wait.

Odysseus:

The army is prepared to go now. Any further delay will cause a mutiny. We'll all be slain. And so will be Iphigenia. Is that what you want? To have her ravaged and murdered by a mob? Oer have her sitting at the right hand of the gods?

Agamemnon:

I must stop her from coming here. Let my servant go. (A soldier enters and salutes.)

Soldier:

Sir, the queen approaches with your daughter.

Agamemnon:

Oh no! (All exit as the scene ends.)

Scene: The encampment outside the tent of Agamemnon. Agamemnon, Menelaus, Odysseus and Creon come out of the tent and look down the road.

Menelaus:

It's Clytemnestra all right. Did you send for her?

Agamemnon:

No. She's not supposed to be here.

Creon:

A mother wishes to see her daughter married.

Menelaus:

(To Odysseus) So much for your brilliant ruse.

Agamemnon:

(To Odysseus) How do you propose to proceed now? All of your vaunted cleverness will be needed to get you out of this.

Odysseus:

I'll have to consider. The passage of time may work for us.

Agamemnon:

In other words, you have no idea what to do.

Odysseus:

Except to run like hell, not a one.

Menelaus:

What happens if she meets Achilles?

Agamemnon:

I'll be castrated with a dull knife.

Menelaus:

Send the servant to Achilles to explain the situation.

Odysseus:

Let us not panic. Not yet.

Agamemnon:

I'm going to send them back home.

Odysseus:

No! Not yet. Achilles will have no choice but to go along; it's the will of the gods. No mortal can change that. Not even Clytemnestra and Achilles.

Menelaus:

Whose going to explain that to them?

Agamemnon:

Not I. They'll both demand to know why we waited until now to tell them. They'll both be offended at being used and deceived. They'll both demand our heads.

Odysseus:

I will go to Achilles. Clytemnestra is your wife; you will have to explain to her and to your daughter.

Agamemnon:

And how do you suggest I do that? Perhaps I should say to them, I'm sorry but we brought you here not to marry the great Achilles but to have your throat cut and to be burned on a sacrificial altar. It's a great honor to be sacrificed to the gods for the good of your country. But we had to lie to get you here so that you could realize what a great honor it really is.

Odysseus:

How you explain it is of no concern to me. I know it's not easy to accept the situation. Please don't think that I'm not sympathetic of your troubles. But I am only the messenger. I would have it otherwise if I could.

Menelaus:

Gentlemen. (Clytemnestra enters with servants and with Iphigenia. The two women are dressed in cloaks and hoods that are dusty from the road.) My husband. (She approaches Agamemnon and kisses and caresses him tenderly.) You cannot come to me, so I come to you with all my heart and all my love and our daughter.

Iphigenia:

Father. (She also approaches Agamemnon and kisses him tenderly. He holds her close for a long minute as though not wishing to release her.) I have missed you so.

Odysseus:

Have we been gone that long?

Clytemnestra:

The bond between them makes even a day's separation too long. I'm jealous of their closeness. As the mother of a daughter I claim first place in her affections but it does no good. She's her father's daughter and I'm relegated to second place in her affections. Soon to be third.

Menelaus:

I wish my own daughter was with me.

Clytemnestra:

If your wife were with you we would none of us be here.

Menelaus:

But she is not with me and we are here to get her back from her kidnapper and punish the crime done against our nation and our family.

Clytemnestra:

Creon. How are you faithful old man?

Creon:

Not well, my lady. Sick at heart if you would know.

Clytemnestra:

Not your family I hope.

Creon:

Yes and no, madam.

Clytemnestra:

We will talk of it after we are settled and have used a chamber pot. We've come a long way. When do we meet the great Achilles?

Agamemnon:

Come. Both of you. (Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Iphigenia go into the tent. Creon directs their servants off leaving Menelaus and Odysseus alone.)

Odysseus:

Now that I've seen the girl I can understand his reluctance. Not only is she his daughter but she's a veritable vision. If there were only another way.

Menelaus:

We could torture the soothsayer until he gives us another alternative.

Odysseus:

The gods would punish us mercilessly for violating their messenger. I'm afraid that we are as doomed as that child, though where her sufferings will be brief ours will be forever. Damn you, Paris.

Menelaus:

I couldn't do it. My own Hemione comes into my mind every time I think of it. It's impossible. To have a child taken at the whim of the gods is tragic; to give a child as he must do....

Odysseus:

All of Argos will honor him for it.

Menelaus:

What is the honor of the mob to such a loss? Better I were despised than I should do such a thing.

Odysseus:

You don't mean that.

Menelaus:

No. But are we certain where honor lies in this matter?

Odysseus:

The gods have chosen. Mortals must obey whether they wish it or not.

Menelaus:

But I wish there were another way. (The scene fades.)

Scene: The tent of Achilles where the hero is exercising while Patroclus, an older man talks to him.

Patroclus:

We've been marooned on this shore like a great beached whale for months now. The continued training and duty have been intensive and, I think, effective for performance and morale. However, this cannot continue indefinitely without diminishing the ability of the troops to perform. Such a situation could mean disaster when battle comes. Something must be done.

Achilles:

The general knows all of this I'm sure. He's not a child. Whatever can be done, he will do. My complaining to him is not going to help the situation. He's been hearing the complaints for weeks now but they haven't had any effect on the wind or the general.

Patroclus:

I know that but someone of your stature should at least talk to him to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

Achilles:

He's aware of the seriousness. Look, I have no problem with talking to Agamemnon. But to nag him about something over which he has no control can't help us move off this damned shore. If there was a way to do it and he refused, I'd be in his tent without delay but all that I could do now is add to his problems. The morale of a commander is just as important as the morale of the troops. You know that from your own experience.

Patroclus:

Yes, I know that but it is also true that a commander must keep foremost in his mind the concerns of his subordinate commanders and make use of the views of those commanders in all things concerning the army. All I ask is that you make yourself visible to him. Make him aware of your own concern. I'm not asking you to scold or criticize; I would never urge the great Achilles to do such things.

Achilles:

Very well. My old friend and mentor, I will go to the king and inform him of our concerns. As soon as I've finished here, I'll go to his tent.

Patroclus:

Good. The troops will be pleased. (The scene fades.)

Scene: The encampment where the four soldiers are trying to stay dry during a rain shower. The First Soldier sits inside the door of the tent. The Fourth Soldier sits beneath and overhanging rock. The Second Soldier and Third Soldier hold a small cloth over their heads moving it one way and then the other while their comrades look on. The cloth is too small to protect both so they are getting wet while struggling to cover themselves. They both get wet in the process.

Scene: The tent of Agamemnon where the king takes his leave of his wife and daughter. The queen and princess watch him go. They then turn to go back into the tent when they stop to look down the road in the opposite direction.

Clytemnestra:

Who is this approaching?

Iphigenia:

I don't know, mother. He is certainly very large though. And very sure of himself I would say.

Clytemnestra:

Yes, he does carry himself with confidence.

Iphigenia:

He's very handsome.

Clytemnestra:

You must now put thoughts like that out of your head. You are to be married Men other than your husband are unworthy of your notice.

Iphigenia:

I can't shut my eyes to beauty, mother.

Clytemnestra:

No, but you must close your desire to it. Go into your father's tent.

Iphigenia:

But why?

Clytemnestra:

Because I wish it. Go.

Iphigenia:

Yes, mother. May I watch from inside?

Clytemnestra:

No, you may not. Go, quickly, before he gets here. (Iphigenia obeys albeit reluctantly. Achilles enters and approaches Clytemnestra. He does not speak for a long moment, merely staring at her.) Do you not know that it's rude to stare? What do you mean approaching me in such fashion and staring as though I were some kind of attraction for the mob?

Achilles:

I beg your pardon, lady, but I'm surprised to see you here at the camp of Agamemnon. This is his camp, is it not? I've come to speak with him concerning the army.

Clytemnestra:

You are impertinent, young man. How dare you question me. Do you not know who I am?

Achilles:

No. Nor do I care. I've come to speak with Agamemnon.

Clytemnestra:

You shall not speak with him.

Achilles:

Yes I will. (He goes to the tent and throws the flap open. Behind the flap is Iphigenia. The two look at each other. Achilles backs up permitting her to come out of the tent.)

Clytemnestra:

(To Iphigenia) I told you to stay in the tent. Now you've allowed yourself to be seen by this boorish man. Go back inside.

Achilles:

(To Iphigenia) Stay.

Clytemnestra:

How dare you! I'll have you know that you are addressing the future wife of the great Achilles and the daughter of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. I'll also have you know that I am Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon and queen of Mycenae. Do you hear what I say? I'll have the guards take you. I'll have you punished for your rudeness.

Achilles:

The future wife of Achilles you say?

Clytemnestra:

(Calls) Guards! Guards! (The four soldiers enter hurriedly.) Here you are. Arrest this man; he has insulted my daughter and myself and the king. Arrest him I say. Arrest him now.

Achilles:

Go back to your duties. All is well here. (The four soldiers bow and exit.)

Clytemnestra:

How dare you! Who are you to countermand my order. I'll have you....

Achilles:

I am Achilles, madam. Where is your husband? (Iphigenia squeals with delight.)

Clytemnestra:

The great Achilles?

Achilles:

The same.

Clytemnestra:

My son.

Achilles:

Who told you that I was to marry your daughter, Madam?

Clytemnestra:

My husband Agamemnon. He sent for my daughter. You will not be disappointed in your wife. She is the jewel of Mycenae.

Achilles:

I can see that she is beautiful beyond words. No man would be so pretentious as to believe himself worthy of such beauty and grace. However, I am not engaged to your daughter, Madam. I regret to say that I have never heard of her or this engagement until this very moment. Indeed, I only wish it were true.

Clytemnestra:

You lie.

Achilles:

No, Madam. No man can say of me that he has ever known me to lie. I know nothing of this engagement that you speak of. (Iphigenia weeps.) Please don't distort your beauty with tears. I'm sure there is an explanation for all of this. Permit me to seek Agamemnon and learn how this confusion came to pass. It will be all right, ladies. Trust me. (Achilles bows and exits.)

Clytemnestra:

I am a queen. How could I have come to this pass? This humiliation? No, it's not possible. There must be some misunderstanding, some mistake. (She embraces the weeping Iphigenia) All will be well, don't fret my lovely. It's just some confusion. (The scene fades.)

Scene: Agamemnon is in conference with Odysseus and Menelaus when Achilles enters.

Agamemnon:

Achilles! What brings you to our councils.

Achilles:

I've come to speak with you, General.

Odysseus:

We're in conference here.

Achilles:

(Ignores Odysseus and speaks to Agamemnon.) I was at your tent looking for you but you weren't there. I wanted to tell you that my men are anxious about the delay caused by the wind and ask if any plans have been made to move the army. But when I got to your tent, I found two women there.

Menelaus:

Damn!

Agamemnon:

My wife and daughter. I have every right to receive them.

Achilles:

And I would be the first to defend that right. However, your wife told me that your daughter is to be my bride. This confused me and drove all thought of the army from my head. I told her that I would find you and learn the meaning and cause of the misunderstanding.

Agamemnon:

Are you offended by the honor of being thought of as a member of my family and husband to my daughter?

Achilles:

I would be honored to be a member of your house and the husband of so beautiful a daughter. But I would like to have the opportunity of deciding my future for myself, or at least being consulted.

Menelaus:

You're addressing your commander in chief.

Achilles:

Even my commander in chief will agree that a prospective husband requires honorable treatment.

Odysseus:

You are doing a great service to Argos. A service that no other can perform.

Agamemnon:

Marrying a king's daughter? Surely any man would do such a thing, almost any man.

Odysseus:

Any man would not be fit for such a task as has been assigned to you. Only the great Achilles is man enough for the service asked of you. However, we must ask that you not ask about it for the moment. All will be made clear anon.

Achilles:

What mystery is this? What are you talking about? I'm to be married to the king's daughter without knowing of it and not to ask about it either? What possible reason can there be for such bizarre circumstance? What is this duty of which you speak?

Agamemnon:

What, what, what. Is that all you can ask? Is that the only word you know?

Achilles:

When questions remain unanswered they must be repeated. My honor is involved. I've just come from a woman and child distraught by my ignorance. I must know why.

Agamemnon:

Of course you must.

Odysseus:

Agamemnon!

Agamemnon:

He should know about that which touches him. The whole world will know the sordid truth before long. Achilles, I beg your forgiveness. I used your name to entice my daughter from Mycenae so that she would join us here at Aulis.

Achilles:

Entice? Does not a father order?

Menelaus:

One learns by listening.

Agamemnon:

The army is wind bound in this place by the wiles of the goddess Artemis. To permit our passage to Troy, she demands a sacrifice. That sacrifice is my daughter, my eldest and most beloved. I had to give her mother a reason to send her thither and I told her that you had demanded her as your bride before you would board ship to Illium. Had I told her the truth, she would not have allowed the girl to come. I never expected that she would come with her. Now I must lose not only my daughter but my wife's good opinion and my own self respect. The sacrifice of one's life for his country is little in comparison.

Achilles:

You can't. No, you can't. Important though the war may be you can't give that jewel to it. You musn't. I won't allow it. I'll protect her with my life. I, Achilles, will stand before her and dare any man to try to take her.

Menelaus:

It's the demand of the goddess. It has been prophesied. Neither general, nor king, nor hero can change it.

Achilles:

Are you mad? She's your niece. She's your daughter. She's the ideal of womanhood. Have you all three lost your minds?

Odysseus:

We have no choice, Achilles. Do you think that we would do this were it otherwise?

Achilles:

You will not do it unless you slay me first. (He storms off.)

Menelaus:

He's a hot headed boy. Great soldier that he is, he's still a hot headed boy.

Agamemnon:

I must return to my wife and tell her the truth before he does. I'd rather die by Achilles sword. (He goes off.)

Odysseus:

How can an expedition started with such sadness and unhappiness hope to succeed.

Menelaus:

It will succeed, and we'll burn that damned city to the ground. (The scene ends.)

Scene: Agamemnon's tent where Iphigenia lies on a couch while her mother mops her brow with a cloth.

Clytemnestra:

There's a mystery in all of this. But don't let it upset you. We'll get to the truth or we'll return home. We don't belong in this alien place where men prepare to kill and to die. I should never have allowed you to come here.

Iphigenia:

It's a mistake. Perhaps he was not really Achilles but some madman who sneaked into the camp. That's it. Achilles would not treat a woman so. It must be an imposter. I wish father would return. I'm frightened of this place.

Clytemnestra:

There's no reason for you to be frightened. Your father and I are here to protect you. Try to sleep; I'll wake you when he returns.

Iphigenia:

I'm glad that you're here. That man would have terrified me were I alone. (Agamemnon enters.) Father!

Clytemnestra:

Thank goodness you've returned. A man who said that he is Achilles was here looking for you. He said that he knows nothing of his betrothal to.... (She stops when Achilles enters. He approaches and bows to the two women.)

Achilles:

I will stand by you always; your life shall have my absolute protection. I pledge to you all of my followers and my very existence. (Terrified, Iphigenia runs to her father.)

Iphigenia:

That's him. The madman. He's frightening. Have him taken away, father. Have him arrested. He told us that he's Achilles.

Agamemnon:

Tremble, child, but not from him. It is I whom you must fear, not the great Achilles. Your father is prophesied to harm you, not this great man.

Clytemnestra:

What are you saying?

Agamemnon:

Our daughter has been demanded by Artemis as a sacrifice. That is why I sent for her. She is not to be married to Achilles. (The women are stunned into silence.) Speak. I command you to say something, to condemn me for a liar and murderer of my own flesh and blood.

Achilles:

I will take her place. Fear not, ladies. You may go from here in safety. I will arrange a guard for your return journey before I go to the altar.

Agamemnon:

It cannot be. Don't you think that I would go myself if I could? Do you not believe that i would sacrifice my own life to save my daughter? The goddess demands Iphigenia.

Achilles:

Then disband the army.

Agamemnon:

You talk like a wildman.

Clytemnestra:

The army? What do you mean disband the army? What has that to do with it?

Agamemnon:

The wind will keep the army on this shore until the sacrifice is made. Only after will we be able to sail.

Clytemnestra:

You would give my daughter to send an army against Troy? To recover that strumpet?

Agamemnon:

We are pledged to go though I wish we were not. It has been prophesied; we can't change it.

Clytemnestra:

Pledged? Only a man would give such a reason. Only a man would rationalize such barbarity with the catch-all of honor. I must be going mad. That's it. The journey, the climate, the strangeness of this place must have jangled my brain and my senses. I will go. The goddess shall have her sacrifice. She'll have a queen, a maiden's mother and Helen's sister. But she won't have Iphigenia.

Agamemnon:

haven't you heard what I've been saying? Only Iphigenia can do it.

Iphigenia:

I can't. I'm just a girl, a maiden. I haven't lived. A life is full of experiences and memories, of tragedy and triumph, of success and failure. I've experienced none of these. My entire existence has been in the house of my father. I know nothing outside it's walls. How can you take a life that has yet to begin? How can you murder your own child? Me, whom you've held so many times, who's loved you so dearly? What have I done? Why have you turned your love to hatred of me?

Agamemnon:

I must obey though it will kill me to do so. Hate? Never have I loved a being more than I love you.

Clytemnestra:

A king must obey no one.

Agamemnon:

A commander must obey that which is best for his command. Please try to understand.

Clytemnestra:

Understand? Understand what? Have you spent the night with a whore? Have yo gambled away my diamonds? What am I to understand? That you have consigned my daughter to a horrible death so that you can take your army to destroy a city? Is that what you wish me to understand? First you must instruct me how a mother can give her child to die. Then perhaps I will understand. (Agamemnon hangs his head and exits the tent. Iphigenia feints. Clytemnestra and Achilles raise her and carry her to the couch where they lay her down.)

Achilles:

Madam, please allow me to escort you back to Mycenae. Or wherever you wish to go. My home is open to you both. No man in all of Argos would dare to try to take her from there.

Clytemnestra:

You're very kind. I...I don't know. I just don't know.

Achilles:

Prepare to go. I'll bring a company of troops to take you wherever you command. (He exits.)

Clytemnestra:

Sleep my flower bud. All will be right. (Calls softly) Creon. Creon, pack our trunks, we're leaving. Creon. Where has that old man gone off to now? (She goes off leaving Iphigenia unconscious on the couch. The scene ends.)

Scene: Outside Agamemnon's tent, it is dusk. On the plain below, the soldiers' campfires twinkle in the darkening. The sea beyond is peaceful though the wind still blows from the west. Iphigenia comes out of the tent and looks down upon the encampment and the sea. The four soldiers are on guard. They come to attention when they see her but she ignores them. They watch her as she stands before the tent her loose hair and gown blowing in the wind. After a few moments, Achilles enters. The soldiers again come to attention but he waves them away and they exit.

Achilles:

Are you ready to go, ma'am?

Iphigenia:

What! Oh, I'm sorry. You startled me.

Achilles:

Forgive me.

Iphigenia:

No need. It's such a peaceful sight, beautiful even. It's hard to imagine its terrible purpose when one sees it like this.

Achilles:

It's like a sleeping tiger, ma'am, beautiful and peaceful but ultimately murderous.

Iphigenia:

Yes, it is. So, you are the great Achilles.

Achilles:

I have that pleasure, though I believe the term "great" is overdone.

Iphigenia:

It reflects your exploits and your courage, though were I asked I would say that it ignores the generosity of your heart. But generosity is not a quality for a soldier, is it?

Achilles:

A soldier must have many qualities. I wish that I had but a few of those that have been attributed to me. Including generosity. I thank you for the compliment though.

Iphigenia:

Humility is another quality that I would not attached to you.

Achilles:

Humility is an overrated quality. Truth is the quality that I cultivate, truth and honesty of word and deed.

Iphigenia:

You're very young to be so noble, sir. Tell me, what flaws of character has the noble Achilles?

Achilles:

Excessive pride perhaps, haste and impatience for glory. And a heart too easily captured by a beautiful woman.

Iphigenia:

Charm is another quality that I would not have sought in you.

Achilles:

I know nothing of charm, ma'am. But if it is a quality to you, then I hope to possess it. Provided that it is not an unmanly quality.

Iphigenia:

It is probably the most manly of qualities to a woman.

Achilles:

You are also very young to be so knowledgeable about the qualities that appeal to a woman. I would think a woman so young would have little experience of such things.

Iphigenia:

No experience except that learned from my mother.

Achilles:

Is you mother about? We're ready to leave.

Iphigenia:

She's getting ready.

Achilles:

And you?

Iphigenia:

Me? What about me?

Achilles:

Are you prepared to depart?

Iphigenia:

No.

Achilles:

Then I must urge you to prepare at once. We'll travel through the night.

Iphigenia:

I'm not going. (Achilles turns to stare at her in disbelief as the scene ends.)

Scene: The plain some distance from his tent where Agamemnon paces anxiously as Clytemnestra looks off into the distance.

Agamemnon:

I tell you I haven't any choice. The gods have chosen, mortals can only obey.

Clytemnestra:

Achilles is not impressed with the commands of the gods.

Agamemnon:

Achilles is not answerable to the entire army and to the prophesies. I am. Achilles can afford to act the hero and leave the villain's part to me. He doesn't have the responsiblity that I carry on my shoulders.

Clytemnestra:

He's going to take her away from here to save her from this madness. Will you stop him?

Agamemnon:

I wouldn't even if I could. It would take the entire army to stop him once he's set his mind on it. And then the dead and wounded would destroy it. No, I won't stop him. Though it will mean my death.

Clytemnestra:

Then we will go.

Agamemnon:

Does my death mean so little to you? You loved me when we were last together at Mycenae. Has this changed you so that my loss means nothing?

Clytemnestra:

There's little time; Achilles wants to begin as soon as it's dark. (She exits leaving Agamemnon alone on the plain as the scene fades.)

Scene: Before Agamemnon's tent where Iphigenia continues to look down on the campfires that are now spots of light in the darkness. Achilles sits with his helmet next to him.

Iphigenia:

I cannot leave those thousands of soldiers, many of them no older than I, to die here on this shore. They have pledged their lives for their country and many of them will die. How can I, the daughter of their king and commander, refuse them at least that? Many of them will soon give their lives for their country; I can do the same, not only as an aid to launch the campaign, but also as an example to them. How can they help but be inspired by the knowledge that their commander's daughter sacrificed her life so that they could conquer for their country.

Achilles:

A noble argument, lady. But are you sure that they will be inspired? When you are taken to the altar and your robes removed, they will be titillated by your nakedness. These are simple men who fight for pay. Noble gestures are lost on them. They'll remember your body, not your nobility.

Iphigenia:

Naked? In front of the army, all of them? You're trying to talk me out of it. No. They will know why I do what I do. You will tell them, you and my father. They will think me a patriot and a martyr. I will inspire their efforts. I will be the first casualty of the war.

Achilles:

I will tell them. Please reconsider though. I can take you to my home where you'll be safe.

Iphigenia:

You won't let them expose me naked to the army?

Achilles:

No.

Iphigenia:

I feel much better now. There's a peaceful feeling inside of me now that I've decided how I'm to die.

Achilles:

Please, lady, no more such talk. (Clytemnestra enters.)

Clytemnestra:

No more such talk? What do you mean?

Iphigenia:

I've decided to die for my country.

Achilles:

Excuse me, ladies. (He exits.)

Clytemnestra:

What do you mean "die for your country".

Iphigenia:

I shall go to the altar so that the army can be transported across the sea and recover my aunt for Menelaus and the glory of Argos.

Clytemnestra:

You're only a child; you can''t make such decisions. Leave to adults those things that they should be deciding.

Iphigenia:

Forgive me, mother, but my mind is decided. I shall go voluntarily, and happily, to the sacrifice. It can't be changed. (Agamemnon enters. The women turn to look at him then turn away. He pours himself a cup of wine.)

Clytemnestra:

I'll throw myself in front of you in the flames to stop it. I won't let them touch you.

Iphigenia:

Then they'll have two royal sacrifices. That should be sufficient for Artemis, don't you think?

Clytemnestra:

This is not a thing to joke about.

Iphigenia:

I'm not joking. Frivolity is the furthest thing from my mind and my heart. I've discovered something grander than I've ever known before and I'm determined to bring it about no matter the consequences. Can you understand that, mother? I've discovered something more important than me, something of such grand necessity that it dwarfs us mortals and our lives. I've found that there are things more important than us and our concerns. There are things worth dying for like one's family and one's country, though I don't want to die of course. Still, by my example I can inspire thousands. Isn't that worth a life? Particularly a self centered and selfish life?

Clytemnestra:

Not your life. Martyrdom doesn't suit you; you're the daughter of a king even if he's not much of a king. As for living a selfish and self centered life, every young woman in the kingdom envies you.

Iphigenia:

I don't want to be envied, I want to be admired. Admired because I demonstrated my love for my country as no other woman has ever been privileged to demonstrate that love. I don't want the envy of empty headed girls who think only of material things. I want to be remembered and honored for having put what's important before such things.

Clytemnestra:

And what's important? Helen?

Iphigenia:

We've gone beyond Helen. Look at the fires on the plain, around each sits a group of young men who have left their homes and family at the risk of their own lives to do honor to the place where they live. Should they be the only people who sacrifice for a higher good? Cannot the king's family, the king's daughter also give of herself?

Clytemnestra:

This place has an evil influence on you. Come, it's time to leave here. You'll feel differently when we're away from here.

Iphigenia:

I'm not going. The only destination that I have is the altar. I'm under no evil influence. I'm under the lure of destiny.

Clytemnestra:

You'll obey me and leave here this minute.

Iphigenia:

Forgive me, mother, but I can't leave. Please understand.

Clytemnestra:

Understand what? This gibberish about destiny? No. Either you'll come with me or I'll have you taken from here.

Iphigenia:

Then I'll die here in this tent. (She takes a dagger from her cloak and holds it over her heart.)

Clytemnestra:

You wouldn't. You who can't abide pain won't cut your own flesh.

Iphigenia:

The pain will be brief.

Clytemnestra:

You musn't. You musn't let them take your life. It's too prescious to me if not to you.

Iphigenia:

I'm not letting them take it; I'm giving it freely so that our people may fulfill their destiny and the prophecies. I don't do this thing willingly, mother. I do it because I must. Please understand.

Clytemnestra:

(To Agamemnon) Will you not speak to your daughter?

Agamemnon:

And say what? Would she believe anything that I could say to her?

Iphigenia:

(Approaches Agamemnon and puts her arms around him.) Don't feel that way, father. I understand why you did what you did. How does one summon a daughter to her death? I don't know what I would've done in your position, probably the same. I love you more now than I ever did.

Agamemnon:

And I you. You must think this over more clearly. Go with your mother. If you believe that this is the right thing to do, you can return but it must be thought upon more than you have already done.

Iphigenia:

And how many more days will be lost while I go with mother? How much strength will the enemy add to its fortifications and defenses? How many of our men will die because I took time to think over what I've already decided? No, I couldn't have their blood on my hands. Better we should go now and have it over. Do not weep for me, father. Kings do not weep.

Agamemnon:

But fathers do.

Iphigenia:

Be happy for me; I'll be immortal. Wherever men speak of sacrifice my name will be on their lips. Wherever the annals of this war are read, they will read my name. Wherever the gods honor those who die for their country, I will be honored. Can a long life give that to me?

Clytemnestra:

What nonsense. Do you really believe that your death will change the course of the wind? How childish you are. The gods do not control the wind. The water and the air control its flow. Patience will change its course not the death of a girl. Don't be so naive.

Iphigenia:

You don't believe that any more than I. Artemis requires my sacrifice; I'm prepared to give it. You can't talk me out of it, mother, though I appreciate that it is love for me that motivates you to try. I shall miss you. I shall miss you both very much. (She kisses her father, then her mother. She exits.)

Clytemnestra:

(To Agamemnon) I'll never forgive you for this. (She exits as the scene ends.)

Scene: Before Agamemnon's tent, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Odysseus, Menelaus, Achilles gather. The four soldiers stand in rank behind.

Achilles:

I'll go to the altar to ensure that all is ready for her. Before I do, please think this over again. Please don't let her do this thing.

Menelaus:

We have no choice, otherwise we'd stop it. I don't want to see her do this.

Odysseus:

It's useless to go over it again.

Clytemnestra:

Helen is too important to spare an innocent girl for her, isn't she?

Menelaus:

It isn't just Helen. You know that but you won't admit it. You're trying to split the coalition to save your daughter.

Agamemnon:

My wife will not be spoken to in that way.

Odysseus:

Enough of this bickering.

Menelaus:

I apologize for what I said.

Achilles:

I'm heartsick over this. (He exits.)

Clytemnestra:

As are we all. (Iphigenia comes from the tent. She is dressed in a sheer white gown, the transparency of which reveals that she is naked beneath. A wreath of flowers adorns her hair.)

Odysseus:

You're a sight to rival the beauty of a goddess. It's no wonder that Artemis seeks you rather than any other. (The four soldiers look at Iphigenia and then at each other, Menelaus looks at her and then exits. Agamemnon turns away. Clytemnestra stares at the ground.)

Iphigenia:

Will Achilles be there?

Odysseus:

He's gone on ahead to await your arrival.

Iphigenia:

It's time to go. (Odysseus holds his arm out for her . She takes it but before going, she turns to look at her parents once more. Then she goes off without saying anything.)

Clytemnestra:

I don't want to live anymore.

Agamemnon:

I wish it were that easy. I'd gladly end it here and now, before she goes to the flames. But we must think of Electra and Orestes. They have long lives before them and will need us to guide them.

Clytemnestra:

You're right of course. But how do I tell them?

Agamemnon:

I don't know the answer to that. (Clytemnestra goes off. Agamemnon follows a moment later. The scene ends.)

Scene: Outside Agamemnon's tent, the four soldiers enter in disarray.

First Soldier:

My eyes don't believe what they saw.

Second Soldier:

Then what can they believe?

Fist Soldier:

(To Third Soldier) Tell me what happened. I don't understand.

Third Soldier:

I don't understand it myself. I just don't know what happened.

Fourth Soldier:

Are you not so smart as we thought then? It's easy enough to understand. Artemis took the girl to the abode of the gods and replaced her with a deer so that the sacrifice could be completed. The soldiers' weeping eyes moved the heart of a god and saved her. That's what happened.

Second Soldier:

I saw it right there in front of me but I don't believe it. First there was the girl as beautiful as any that these eyes have seen and then there was a deer.

Third Soldier:

Exactly. (To the Fourth Soldier) You must be right. The goddess took pity on her when she saw the weeping soldiers. I was weeping myself at the thought of that lovely woman's death.

Fourth Soldier:

You're too soft for soldiers, all of you.

First Soldier:

I saw the tears in your eyes too.

Fourth Soldier:

Who says so? Who says that I cried for that royal brat?

Third Soldier:

The queen did not weep.

Second Soldier:

No, she was angry. I'd like to be a fly on the wall of Agamemnon''s tent when she's alone with him. It won't be pleasant.

First Soldier:

She's lost a daughter whether to a goddess or the flames makes no difference.

Third Soldier:

The wind has changed. It's blowing from the west.

Second Soldier:

It's very cool.

First Soldier:

We can cast off now.

Fourth Soldier:

To the ships. Now, let's go. To the ships. (They exit hurriedly as the scene ends.)