Monologue

Et Monologue from Seven Against Thebes

From Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus

male · anguished · 2:17 min

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Alas! for the omen (145) that associates a righteous man with the impious! Indeed in every matter, nothing is worse than evil fellowship--the field of infatuation has death for its fruits. (146) For whether it be that a pious man hath embarked in a vessel along with violent sailors, and some villany, he perishes with the race of men abhorred of heaven; or, being righteous, and having rightly fallen into the same toils with his countrymen, violators of hospitality, and unmindful of the gods, he is beaten down, smitten with the scourge of the deity, which falls alike on all. Now this seer, I mean the son of Oicleus, a moderate, just, good, and pious man, a mighty prophet, associated with unholy bold-mouthed men, in spite of his (better) judgment, when they made their long march, by the favor of Jove, shall be drawn along with them to go to the distant city. (147) I fancy, indeed, that he will not make an attack on our gates, not as wanting spirit, nor from cowardice of disposition, but he knows that it is his doom to fall in battle, if there is to be any fruit in the oracles of Apollo: 'tis his wont too to hold his peace, or to speak what is seasonable. Nevertheless against him we will marshal a man, mighty Lasthenes, a porter surly to strangers, and who bears an aged mind, but a youthful form; quick is his eye, and he is not slow of hand to snatch his spear made naked from his left hand. (148) But for mortals to succeed is a boon of the deity.

About this piece

The character reflects on the dire consequences of aligning with the impious and the inevitability of fate, expressing deep concern for a righteous seer caught in a perilous situation.

40s · despair · fate · death · betrayal · honor

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