Women of Trachis †A monologue from the play by Sophocles Persuasive Essay Example For Students

Women of Trachis – A monologue from the play by Sophocles Persuasive Essay A monologue from the play by Sophocles NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from Dramas. Sophocles. London: J.M. Dent Sons, 1906. DEIANIRA: Friends, while our guest is parleying in the house With the girl-captives, on the point to go, I am come forth to you in private, first Wishing to tell you my devices, next To be condoled with for my injuries. For I have taken to my house a maid A maid no more, but mated, to my thinking Even as a shipman takes a load on board, A losing bargain for my heart! And now We two abide beneath one coverlet To be embraced. This reward Heracles Faithful and good as we reputed him Sends, in return for my long house-tending. And him I cannot be indignant with, Often afflicted by this malady; But to keep house with her, and to go shares In the same marriage-bondwhat wife could do it? For I see bloom on her side coming on, And on mine fading; and of such an eye Will pick the flower, and eschew the rest. This, then, is what I fear; lest Heracles Come to be called my consort, but her mate, The younger woman. Still it is not well A wife who has discretion, as I said, Should become wroth; rather in what way, friends, I may find easement, to deliver me, Lo, I will tell you. I have long possessed A keepsake of a monster of old time, Put by in a brass vessel, which I took When yet a girl, out of the mortal wound Of the shag-bosomed Nessus, as he died; Who used to carry men across the ford Of the Evenus, a deep stream, for hire, With his mere hands, plying without oar or sail. He, when I first with Heracles a bride Went, at my sires disposing, carried me Upon his back, when he was in mid-passage, Touched me with wanton hands. And I cried out; And straight the son of Jove turned, and his hands Launched a winged shaft; and it whizzed through the breast, Into his lungs. And as the brute expired, He spake these words; Child of old ?neus, If you will hear, you shall have this much profit, Seeing you were my last of passengers, Out of my ferrying; for if you collect The gore that stiffens round my deadly wound, Just where the black envenomed shafts were dipped In blood of the Lern?an water-snake, A medicine for the heart of Heracles It shall be to you; so that he shall love No woman whom he looks on, more than you. Mindful of this, my friendsfor since his death It has been carefully locked up at home I dipped this tunic, and threw in the whole Of what he told me just before he died. This has been done. Now never may I know Never be taughtmalign experiments; Nay, those who try them I detest; but if Against this girl by charms I may prevail, And by a philtre used on Heracles Why, means have been supplied; unless I seem Busied in vain; if so, I will not do it. We will write a custom essay on Women of Trachis – A monologue from the play by Sophocles Persuasive specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now