#idk i just love it. it compels me deeply. ajax knows his brother is still away but he cries out for him anyways | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

doloneia · 25 days ago

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just read this article where the author argues that when ajax is crying out in his tent he is crying out solely for teucer (not eurysaces, as tecmessa suggests to the chorus) and it is everything to me now.

the idea that - in this moment of incredible emotional vulnerability - when ajax cries out, ἰὼ παῖ παῖ, he is not looking for his son but his brother? that his specific call for teucer - Τεῦκρον καλῶ. που Τεῦκρος; - is an elaborated cry for help?

fantastic. show-stopping. incredible. it's all i'm going to be thinking about now and forever.

#i found the argument itself quite compelling because παῖ does not necessarily refer only to children but is also used by siblings sometimes #the author also notes that tecmessa and ajax are almost constantly out of sync throughout the play Unless you see this scene #as ajax referring to eurysaces. in which case he suddenly harmonizes them for a second when otherwise they just talk in circles #also some great points made re: the skēnē and communication between on-stage/off-stage in greek tragedy #idk i just love it. it compels me deeply. ajax knows his brother is still away but he cries out for him anyways #truly the brothers of all time!!! no one does it like them!!!#teucer #telamonian ajax #sophocles' ajax #tagamemnon #edit: changed the link to one without a paywall

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