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| Character | Atossa | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | In love, Crying, Depressed, Lamenting, Insecure, Afraid | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Ancient Greek | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Atossa expresses her anxiety regarding a dream that she had | |
Summary
The Persians, Aeschylus' first tragedy, concerns the defeat of the Persian army in the Battle of Salamis against the Greek army. In the first part the Queen Mother, Atossa, mother of King Xerxes (who is leading the Persians in the battle), together with a chorus of old men, await for news about the battle.
In this monologue Atossa expresses her anxiety about a disturbing dream she had the night before. Also when she woke she had a dreadful vision of a hawk attacking an eagle. She fears for the outcome of the battle her son is fighting in.
In this monologue Atossa expresses her anxiety about a disturbing dream she had the night before. Also when she woke she had a dreadful vision of a hawk attacking an eagle. She fears for the outcome of the battle her son is fighting in.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| ATOSSA: Ever have nightly visions manifold Beset me, since, intent on ravaging Ionia's soil, my son led forth his power. But never saw I dream so manifest As that of yesternight;--I'll tell it thee;-- Methought two women came before my sight, Richly apparelled, this in Persian robes Was habited, and that in Dorian garb; In height above their sex pre-eminent, Faultless in beauty, sisters of one race. As Fatherland the one by lot had gained Hellas, the other the Barbaric land. Between these twain, for so methought I saw, Some feud arose, which learning, straight my son Strove to appease and soothe; he to his car Yoked them, and placed the collar on their necks. Proudly the one exulted in this gear, And kept her mouth submissive to the reins; Restive the other was; she with her hands The chariot-harness rends, then, without bit, Whirls it along, snapping the yoke asunder. Prone falls my son, and close at hand his sire, Darius, pitying stands, whom when he sees, The robes about his person Xerxes rends. Such was, I say, my vision of the night. When I arose and with my hands had touched Fountain clear-flowing, I the altar neared With sacrificial hand, wishing to pay To the averting gods, to whom belong Such rites, oblations; forthwith I behold An eagle fleeing straight to Phoebus' hearth. Speechless I stood through terror, friends; anon, A kite I see borne forward on swift wing, Tearing with talons fierce the eagle's head; Meanwhile the eagle nothing did but cower, His body tamely yielding to the foe. Dreadful these portents are to me who saw And you who hear: for well ye know, my son, If victor, were a man with glory crowned, Yet worsted, to the state gives no account, And saved, he none the less this realm will sway. |
