|
Auditions Notice! AJAX by Sophocles Wednesday 28th July @ 7.30pm & Sunday 1st August @ 2.30pm Performance will run between; Thursday 25th November and Saturday 4th December 2010. 'Blood, guns and Greek tragedy; bringing one of the epic tales of the Trojan War into a modern setting, Ajax by Sophocles is a powerful look at what it means to be a soldier. Ajax himself is an honourable hero, overcome by pride, who feels betrayed by those who led him into war. What impact does a soldier's life have on those dearest to him? Who is ultimately responsible for his actions? And how should he be honoured after death? These same questions are still asked 3,000 years on.'
The parts to be cast are: · Ajax (late 20s to late 30s male) – He is a soldier stricken by madness, who faces humiliation in standing up to the generals of the army for which he fights. · Tecmessa (mid 20s to early 30s female) – Wife of Ajax, she suffers from the fallout of his actions and struggles to keep her family together. · Odysseus (late 20s to late 30s male) – He has won the prize that Ajax sought, thus inadvertently making himself an enemy of Ajax. · Athena/Seer (any age female) – Both parts are to be played by the same person. These characters are the mysterious forces that guide Ajax. · Teucer (early to late 20s male) – He is the younger brother of Ajax and seeks to defend Ajax’s honour. · Agamemnon (late 40s to early 60s male) – General to the Greek soldiers, he desires complete control of the army. · Menelaus (early 40s to late 50s male) – The younger brother of Agamemnon, the war began in his attempt to retrieve his wife Helen (of Troy). · Chorus (5 people of military age, any gender) – Ajax’s troops and the ‘voice of the soldier(s)’. They are the pivotal link between the audience and the characters. Both sets of auditions will be held at the Theatre. Audition pieces for Ajax PIECE 1 – Athena and Odysseus Odysseus
Then was this a plot aimed against the Greeks? Athena
[45] Yes, and he would have accomplished it, too, had I not been attentive. Odysseus
And what reckless boldness was in his mind that he dared this? Athena
Under night's cover he set out against you, by stealth and alone. Odysseus
And did he get near us? Did he reach his goal? Athena
He was already at the double doors of the two generals. Odysseus
[50] How, then, did he restrain his hand when it was eager for murder? Athena
[65] It was I who prevented him, by casting over his eyes oppressive notions of his fatal joy, and I who turned his fury aside on the flocks of sheep and the confused droves guarded by herdsmen, the spoil which you had not yet divided. [55] Then he fell upon them and kept cutting out a slaughter of many horned beasts as he split their spines in a circle around him. At one time he thought that he was killing the two Atreidae, holding them in his very hand; at another time it was this commander, and at another that one which he attacked. And I, while the man ran about in diseased frenzy, [60] I kept urging him on, kept hurling him into the snares of doom. Soon, when he rested from this toil, he bound together the living oxen along with all the sheep and brought them home, as though his quarry were men, not well-horned cattle. And now he abuses them, bound together, in the house. But to you also will I show this madness openly, so that when you have seen it you may proclaim it to all the Argives. Be of good courage and stand your ground, and do not regard the man as a cause of disaster for you. I will turn away the beams of his eyes [70] and keep them from landing on your face. To Ajax (off).
You there, you who bind back your captive's arms, I am calling you, come here! I am calling Ajax! Come out in front of the house! Odysseus
What are you doing, Athena? Do not call him out. Athena
[75] Hold your peace! Do not earn a reputation for cowardice! Odysseus
No, by the gods, let it content you that he stay inside. Athena
What is the danger? Was he not a man before? Odysseus
Yes, a man hostile to me in the past, and especially now. Athena
And is not the sweetest mockery the mockery of enemies? Odysseus
[80] I am content that he stay within his tent. Athena
Do you fear to see a madman right before your eyes? Odysseus
I would not shrink from him in fear, if he were sane. Athena
But he will not see you now, even though you stand nearby. Odysseus
How could that be, if he still sees with the same eyes? Athena
[85] I shall darken them, though their sight is keen. Odysseus
It is true: all is possible when a god contrives. Athena
Stand silent, then, and stay where you are. Odysseus
I must stay. But I would prefer to be far from here! Athena
You there, Ajax, once again I call you! [90] Why do you show so little regard for your ally? Enter Ajax, holding a blood-stained whip in his hand.
PIECE 2 – Tecmessa, Ajax and Chorus Tecmessa He used to grieve quietly without the sound of loud weeping, but instead moaned low like a bull. And now, prostrate in such miserable fortune, tasting no food, no drink, [325] the man sits idly where he has fallen in the middle of the iron-slain cattle. And plainly he plans to do something terrible. Somehow his words and his laments say as much. Ah, my friends—for it was my errand to ask you this—come in and help him, if in any way you can. [330] Men of his kind can be won over by the words of friends. Chorus
Tecmessa, daughter of Teleutas, terrible is your news that our lord has been possessed by his sorrows. Within. Ajax
wailing.
Oh! Ah, me! Ah, me! Tecmessa
Soon there will be more sorrow, it seems. Did you not hear [335] Ajax, did you not hear his resounding howl? Ajax
wailing.
O! Ah, me! Ah, me! Chorus
The man seems to be sick, or else to be still pained by the disease which was recently with him, since he sees its traces. Ajax
wailing.
O my son, my son! Tecmessa
[340] Ah, miserable me! Eurysaces, it is for you he calls! What can his purpose be? Where are you? I am miserable! Ajax
Teucer! Where is Teucer? Will his raid last for ever? While I perish? Chorus
He seems to be sane—open the door! [345] Perhaps merely at the sight of me he will come to a more respectable mood. Tecmessa
There, it is open. Now you can look on this man's deeds, and his true condition. Ajax is discovered sitting amidst the slaughtered cattle. Ajax
[348] Ah, good sailors, you alone of my friends [350] who alone still abide by the true bond of friendship, see how great a wave has just now crested over and broken around me, set on by a murderous storm! Chorus
Ah, lady, too true, it seems, was your testimony! [355] The fact proves that he is not sane. Ajax
[356] Ah, you clan staunch in maritime skill, who embarked and stroked the oar-blade upon the brine, in you, in you alone [360] I see a defence against suffering. Come, slay me on top of these! Chorus
[362] Hush! Speak words of better omen! Do not cure evil by prescribing evil; do not increase the anguish of your mad disaster. Ajax
Do you see the bold, the strong of heart, [365] the dauntless in battles with the enemy—do you see me now, terrible in the force of my hands against beasts unformidable? Oh, the mockery! How I have been violated! Tecmessa
Ajax, my lord, I beg you, do not talk this way! Ajax
Away with you! Will you not take yourself outside! [370] Ah, me! Ah, me! Chorus
By the gods I plead, give way and acquire good sense! Ajax
My rotten fortune!—I let slip from my grasp those men who were begging for punishment, [375] and fell instead on cattle with twisted horns and fine goats, making their dark blood flow! Chorus
Why grieve when the deed is past recall? These things can never be but as they are. Ajax
Ah, you who spy out all things, [380] you ready tool of every crime, ah, son of Laertes, you filthiest sneak in all the army, I am sure you laugh loud and long for joy! Chorus
It is at the god's dispensation that every man both laughs and mourns. Ajax
Yet if only I could see him, even shattered as I am! [385] Oh! Oh! Chorus
Make no big threats! Do you not see the trouble you are in? Ajax
O Zeus, forefather of my forebears, if only I might destroy that deep dissembler, that hateful sneak, and [390] the two brother-kings, and finally die myself, also! Tecmessa
When you make that prayer, pray at the same time for me that I, too, may die. What reason is there for me to live when you are dead? Ajax
Ah, Darkness, my light! [395] O Gloom of the underworld, to my eyes brightest-shining, take me, take me to dwell with you—yes, take me. I am no longer worthy to look for help to the race of the gods, [400] or for any good from men, creatures of a day. No, the daughter of Zeus, the valiant goddess, abuses me to my destruction. Where, then, can a man flee? Where can I go to find rest? [405] If my past achievements go to ruin, my friends, along with such victims as these near me, and if I am inclined to foolish plunderings, then with sword driven by both hands all the army would murder me!
PIECE 3 – Ajax and Tecmessa Tecmessa
Pity, too, my king, your son. Pity him the great sorrow which at your death you will bequeath both to him and to me, if robbed of nurturing care he must spend his days apart from you, an orphan tended by guardians who are neither family nor friends. I have nothing left to which I can look, [515] save you, and you are the reason. Your spear ravaged my country to nothingness, and another fate has brought down my mother and father, giving them a home in Hades in their death. What homeland, then, could I have without you? What wealth? My welfare is entirely in your hands. [520] So remember me, too. A true man should cherish remembrance, if anywhere he takes some pleasure. It is kindness that always begets kindness. But whoever lets the memory of benefits seep from him, he can no longer be a noble man. Chorus
[525] Ajax, I wish that pity touched your heart as it does mine. Then you would approve her words. Ajax
She will have approval as far as I am concerned, if only she takes heart and graciously does my bidding. Tecmessa
Dear Ajax, I will obey you in everything. Ajax
[530] Then bring me my son, so that I may see him. Tecmessa
But in my fear I released him from my keeping. Ajax
Because of these troubles of mine? Or what do you mean? Tecmessa
Yes, for fear that somehow the poor child would get in your way, and die. Ajax
Yes, that would have been truly worthy of my destiny. Tecmessa
[535] Well, at least I took care to avert that disaster. Ajax
I approve of your action and of your foresight. Tecmessa
How, then, can I serve you, as things stand now? Ajax
Let me speak to him and see him face to face. Tecmessa
Oh, yes—he is close by, watched by our servants. Ajax
[540] Then why is his presence delayed? Tecmessa
My child, your father calls you. Bring him here, servant, whichever of you is guiding his steps. Ajax
Is the man coming? Or has he missed your call? Tecmessa
Here now one of the servants approaches with him. Enter the Servant and Eurysaces. Ajax
[545] Lift him; lift him up here. Doubtless he will not shrink to look on this newly-shed blood, if he is indeed my true-born son and heir to his father's manners. But he must at once be broken into his father's harsh ways and moulded to the likeness of my nature. [550] Ah, son, may you prove luckier than your father, but in all else like him. Then you would not prove base. Yet even now I may well envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils about us. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense, [for lack of sensation is a painless evil] [555] that is, until one learns to know joy or pain. But when you come to that knowledge, then you must be sure to prove among your father's enemies of what mettle and of what lineage you are. Meanwhile feed on light breezes, and nurse your tender life for your mother's joy. [560] There is no Greek—I know it for certain—who will do violence to you with hard outrages, even when you are without me. So trusty is the guard, Teucer himself, whom I will leave at your gates. He will not falter in his care for you, although now he walks a far path, busied with the hunt of enemies. [565] O my warriors, my seafaring comrades! On you as on him, I lay this shared task of love: give my command to Teucer! Let him take this child to my home and set him before the face of Telamon, and of my mother, Eriboea, [570] so that he may become the comfort of their age into eternity [until they come to the deep hollows of the god below]. And order him that no commissioners of games, nor he who is my destroyer, should make my arms a prize for the Greeks. No, you take this for my sake, Son, my broad shield from which you have your name. [575] Hold it and wield it by the sturdy thong, this sevenfold, spear-proof shield! But the rest of my arms shall be my gravemates.
PIECE 4 – Teucer, Tecmessa and Chorus Chorus
Ah, the deeds of the two ruthless Atreidae which you name in our present grief would be unthinkable! May the gods hold them back! Tecmessa
[950] These events that you see would not have happened as they have without the will of the gods. Chorus
Yes, they have brought upon us a burden too heavy to bear. Tecmessa
Yet what suffering the divine daughter of Zeus, fierce Pallas, engenders for Odysseus' sake! Chorus
[955] No doubt the much-enduring hero exults in his dark soul and mocks in loud laughter at these frenzied sorrows—what shame!— [960] and with him, when they hear the news, will laugh the royal brothers, the Atreidae. Tecmessa
Then let them mock and rejoice at this man's misery. Perhaps, even though they did not cherish him while he lived, they will lament his death, when they meet with the difficulties of war. Men of crooked judgment do not know what good [965] they have in their hands until they have thrown it away. His death is more bitter to me than it is sweet to the Greeks; but in any case to Ajax himself it is a joy, since he has accomplished all that he desired to get—his longed-for death. So why should they exult over him? [970] He died before the gods, not at all before them—no! And so let Odysseus toss his insults in empty glee. For them Ajax is no more; for me he is gone, abandoning me to anguish and mourning. Teucer
Approaching.
Ah! Ah, no! Chorus
[975] Quiet—I think I hear the voice of Teucer striking a note that points to this disaster. Enter Teucer. Teucer
Beloved Ajax, brother whose face was so dear to me, have you truly fared as the mighty rumour says? Chorus
He is dead, Teucer. Take it as fact. Teucer
[980] Then I am destroyed by my heavy fortune! Chorus
When things stand as they do— Teucer
Ah, misery, misery! Chorus
—you have cause to mourn. Teucer
O rash passion! Chorus
Yes, Teucer, far too rash. Teucer
Ah, misery—what about the man's child? Where in all of Troy can I find him? Chorus
[985] He is alone near the tent. Teucer
To Tecmessa.
Then bring him here right away, so that we may prevent some enemy from snatching him away, as a hunter snatches a cub from a lioness and leaves her barren! Go quickly; give me your help! It is the habit of men everywhere to laugh in triumph over the dead when they are mere corpses on the ground. Exit Tecmessa. Chorus
[990] Yes, while still alive, Teucer, Ajax ordered you to care for the child, just as you are in fact doing. Teucer
This sight is truly most painful to me of all that my eyes have seen. [995] And the journey truly loathsome to my heart above all other journeys is this one that I have just now made while pursuing and scouting out your footsteps, dearest Ajax, once I learned of your fate! For a swift rumour about you, as if sent from some god, passed throughout all the Greek army, telling that you were dead and gone. [1000] I heard the rumour while still far away from you, and I groaned quietly in sadness. But now that I see its truth, my heart is utterly shattered! Oh, god! Come, uncover him; let me see the worst. The corpse of Ajax is uncovered.
PIECE 5 – Teucer and Menelaus Teucer
No, rule the troops you rule, and use your reverend words to punish them! But this man, whether you or the other general forbid it, I will lay [1110] in the grave as justice demands, and I will not fear your tongue. It was not at all for your wife's sake that Ajax made this expedition, as did those toil-worn drudges. No, it was for the sake of the oath by which he had sworn, and not at all for you, since it was not his habit to value nobodies. [1115] And so when you come here again, bring more heralds, and the leader of the expedition, too. Your bluster could not make me turn to notice you, so long as you are what you are. Chorus
Again, I say, in these troubles I cannot approve of such a tone. Harsh words sting, however just they are. Menelaus
[1120] The bowman seems to feel no little grandeur. Teucer
I do, since it is no lowly skill that I possess. Menelaus
How you would boast, if you had a shield! Teucer
Even without a shield I would be a match for you fully armed. Menelaus
What a tongue you have! What dreadful anger it feeds! Teucer
[1125] When right is with him, a man's thoughts may be grand. Menelaus
What, is it right that the man who murdered me should prosper? Teucer
Murdered you? It is truly a strange happening, if in fact you live after being killed. Menelaus
A god rescued me. So far as that corpse is concerned, I am in Hades. Teucer
Then since it was the gods who saved you, do not dishonour the gods. Menelaus
[1130] What, would I find fault with divine law? Teucer
Yes, if by your presence here you prevent burial of the dead. Menelaus
Prevent it I do, since he was at war with me and I with him. Burial in such a case would not be right. Teucer
What do you mean? Did Ajax ever stand forth publicly to war with you? Menelaus
He hated me as I hated him, and you knew it, too. Teucer
[1135] Yes, he hated you because you had been caught fixing the votes in order to rob him. Menelaus
At the hands of the jurymen, not mine, he suffered that loss. Teucer
You could make a thousand stealthy crimes look pretty. Menelaus
That sentiment leads to pain for someone I know. Teucer
The pain will be no greater, I think, than that which we will inflict. Menelaus
[1140] I will tell you once and for all—there is to be no burial for him. Teucer
And hear my reply—he shall be buried immediately. Menelaus
Once I saw a bold-tongued man who had urged sailors to set sail during wintertime. Yet in him you could have found no voice [1145] when the worst of the storm was upon him. No, hidden beneath his cloak he allowed the crew to trample on him at will. And so it is with you and your raging speech—perhaps a great storm, even if its blast comes from a small cloud, will extinguish your shouting. Teucer
[1150] Yes, and I have seen a man stuffed with foolishness who exulted in his neighbour’s misfortunes. It turned out that a man like me and of similar temperament stared at him and said, “ Man, do not wrong the dead; [1155] for, if you do, rest assured that you will come to harm.” So he warned the misguided man before him. Take note—I see him now, and I think that he is no one but you. Have I spoken in riddles? Menelaus
I will go—it would be a disgrace to have it known [1160] that I argue when I have the power to use force. Teucer
Leave then! The worst disgrace for me is that I should listen to a fool's empty chatter. Exit Menelaus.
PIECE 6 - Agamemnon
He declares that he will not leave this corpse without due burial, but will entomb it in spite of me. Odysseus
Then may a friend speak the truth, and still remain your helpmate no less than before? Agamemnon
[1330] Speak. Otherwise I would be less than sane, since I count you my greatest friend among all the Greeks. Odysseus
Listen, then. In the name of the gods, do not let yourself so ruthlessly cast this man out unburied. Do not in any way let the violence of your hatred overcome you [1335] so much that you trample justice under foot. To me, too, this man was once the most hostile enemy in the army from the day on which I beat him for possession of Achilles' arms. Yet for all that he was hostile towards me, I would not dishonour him in return or refuse to admit [1340] that in all our Greek force at Troy he was, in my view, the best and bravest, excepting Achilles. It would not be just, then, that he should be dishonoured by you. It is not he, but the laws given by the gods that you would damage. When a good man is dead, there is no justice [1345] in doing him harm, not even if you hate him. Agamemnon
You, Odysseus—do you champion him against me in this battle? Odysseus
I do, though I did hate him, when it was honourable for me to hate. Agamemnon
But should you not also trample him now that he is dead? Odysseus
Do not take delight, son of Atreus, in that superiority which brings no honour. Agamemnon
[1350] Reverence, I tell you, is not easily practiced by the autocrat. Odysseus
But it is easy to grant dispensations to friends when they advise well. Agamemnon
A good man should listen to those in charge. Odysseus
Stop! Your power is victorious when you surrender to your friends. Agamemnon
Remember to what sort of man you show this kindness! Odysseus
[1355] The man was once my enemy, yes, but he was also noble. Agamemnon
Why do you do this? Why do you so respect an enemy's corpse? Odysseus
I yield to his excellence much more than his hostility. Agamemnon
Men who act as you do are the unstable sort in humankind. Odysseus
Quite the majority of men, I assure you, are friendly at one time, and bitter at another. Agamemnon
[1360] So then, are these the type of friends that you recommend we make? Odysseus
It is not my habit to recommend an inflexible spirit. Agamemnon
You will make us appear to be cowards today. Odysseus
On the contrary, we will be men of justice in the eyes of all the Greeks. Agamemnon
Then do you truly urge me to allow the burying of the dead? Odysseus
[1365] Yes, for I too shall come to that necessity. Agamemnon
How true it is that in all things alike each man works for himself! Odysseus
And for whom should I work more than for myself? Agamemnon
It must be called your doing then, not mine. Odysseus
However you do it, in all respects you will at least prove beneficent. Agamemnon
[1370] In any case, be quite certain that to you I would grant a larger favour than this. To that man, however, as on earth, so below I give my hatred. But you can do what you will. Exit Agamemnon. |
Home