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| Character | Watchman | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Descriptive, Depressed, Lamenting, Frustrated, Afraid, Introduction to story | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Ancient Greek | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | The watchman sees the fall of Troy | |
| Location | Beginning of the play | |
Summary
The story of the play focuses on the revenge by Clytemnestra on her husband Agamemnon. Agamemnon is the King of Argos and one of the generals in the Trojan war against Troy. Clytemnestra awaits for the return of her husband from the war so that she can kill him for having sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia during the war. When Agamemnon and his concubine Cassandra come back from the war they are eventually killed by Clytmenestra with the help of her lover Aegisthus.
This monologue is the first of the play. The watchman is waiting for the signal that will indicate the end of the war and the fall of Troy, that is "the glow of signal-flame". This will mean that Agamemnon, the King of Argos, will finally be back home and Clytmenestra will be able to have her revenge on him. In the first part of the monologue the watchman laments the fact that he has been waiting there for a long time, then he finally sees the signal-flame on the horizon.
This monologue is the first of the play. The watchman is waiting for the signal that will indicate the end of the war and the fall of Troy, that is "the glow of signal-flame". This will mean that Agamemnon, the King of Argos, will finally be back home and Clytmenestra will be able to have her revenge on him. In the first part of the monologue the watchman laments the fact that he has been waiting there for a long time, then he finally sees the signal-flame on the horizon.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| WATCHMAN I pray the gods to quit me of my toils, To close the watch I keep, this livelong year; For as a watch-dog lying, not at rest, Propped on one arm, upon the palace-roof Of Atreus' race, too long, too well I know The starry conclave of the midnight sky, Too well, the splendours of the firmament, The lords of light, whose kingly aspect shows- What time they set or climb the sky in turn- The year's divisions, bringing frost or fire. And now, as ever, am I set to mark When shall stream up the glow of signal-flame, The bale-fire bright, and tell its Trojan tale- Troy town is ta'en: such issue holds in hope She in whose woman's breast beats heart of man. Thus upon mine unrestful couch I lie, Bathed with the dews of night, unvisited By dreams-ah me!-for in the place of sleep Stands Fear as my familiar, and repels The soft repose that would mine eyelids seal. And if at whiles, for the lost balm of sleep, I medicine my soul with melody Of trill or song-anon to tears I turn, Wailing the woe that broods upon this home, Not now by honour guided as of old- But now at last fair fall the welcome hour That sets me free, whene'er the thick night glow With beacon-fire of hope deferred no more. All hail! [A beacon-light is seen reddening the distant sky.] Fire of the night, that brings my spirit day, Shedding on Argos light, and dance, and song, Greetings to fortune, hail! Let my loud summons ring within the ears Of Agamemnon's queen, that she anon Start from her couch and with a shrill voice cry A joyous welcome to the beacon-blaze, For Ilion's fall; such fiery message gleams From yon high flame; and I, before the rest, Will foot the lightsome measure of our joy; For I can say, My master's dice fell fair- Behold! the triple sice, the lucky flame! Now be my lot to clasp, in loyal love, The hand of him restored, who rules our home: Home-but I say no more: upon my tongue Treads hard the ox o' the adage. Had it voice, The home itself might soothliest tell its tale; I, of set will, speak words the wise may learn, To others, nought remember nor discern. |
