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Michael Davis - The Philosophy of Tragedy (3): Clytemnestra
Description
He had no way to flee or right his destiny-
our never-ending, all embracing net, I cast it
wide for the royal haul, I coil him round and round
in the wealth, the robes of doom, and then I strike him
once, twice, and at each stroke he cries in agony-
he buckles at the knees and crashes here!
...
So he goes down, and the life is bursting out of him
great sprays of blood, and the murderous shower
wounds me, dyes me black and I, I revel
like the Earth when the spring rains come down,
the blessed gifts of god, and the new green spear
splits the sheath and rips to birth in glory!
...
It is right, and more than right. He flooded
the vessel of our proud house with misery,
with the vintage of the curse and now
he drains the dregs. My lord is home at last.
-Clytemnestra, Agamemnon, 1401-1423, trans R. Fagles.
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Original YouTube playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiyEzRZtxXGU
Thumbnail Photo:
The Mask of Agamemnon
Original writing:
williamengels.substack.com
Enjoy.