Orestes by Euripides

At the end of the Trojan War, King Agamemnon returned home having been gone 10 years.  During his absence his wife Clytemnestra had taken a lover, so when he returned, she and her lover killed him.  His son Orestes and daughter Electra then entered into a plot to kill her and avenge their father.  This play opens about six days later.  Orestes has been driven mad with guilt even though he believes he was ordered by the gods to slay his mother.  Also, the people of the kingdom are about to vote on an appropriate punishment for him.  He and Electra expect to be stoned to death for the murder.

Menelaus returns home from the war and asks to see Orestes.  The cause of the Trojan War was that Menelaus’ wife Helen had run off with Paris of Troy.  Agamemnon had agreed with Menelaus that they were bound by their honor to go retrieve her.  The ten years of war had resulted in many deaths, and the war became increasingly unpopular.  (Apparently long wars always have been unpopular.)  Menelaus has secretly gotten Helen back into the city, because he fears the anger of the populace against her.

Menelaus is uncle to Orestes.  Orestes expects him to understand why he had to kill Clytemnestra and to attempt to sway the people in his favor and spare his life.  While they are talking, Tyndareus arrives.  He was Clytemnestra’s father and so is grandfather to Orestes.  However, he has no sympathy for Orestes and argues with Orestes and Menelaus.  Menelaus is torn, and after much discussion, he does not agree to help Orestes.  He is taking a wait-and-see approach.

Pylades then arrives on the scene.  He is a young man of the same age as Orestes and is one of his good friends.  He is betrothed to Electra and was in on the whole scheme against Clytemnestra.  He is from a neighboring kingdom and has been exiled by his father for his part in the murder, but at least his life was spared.  He declares that he will not abandon Orestes and is prepared to die with him.  He assists Orestes in getting to the court where his case is being heard.  They return knowing that the death sentence has been pronounced, but that Orestes and Electra are to be given the option of suicide.

The three friends (Orestes, Electra and Pylades) then come up with another plot.  They will kill Helen and take Hermione, daughter of Helen and Menelaus, hostage.  When Menelaus learns his wife is dead and his daughter’s life is on the line, they believe he will give in and help them.  They carry out this plan, but when they think Helen is dead, she suddenly disappears…spirited away by the gods.  (Keep in mind Helen is supposedly half god and half mortal.)  Menelaus arrives at the palace and seems willing to let Hermione die.  Pylades and Electra are ready to torch the palace, and Orestes is about to kill Hermione, when the god Apollo appears in the clouds with Helen by his side.

He pronounces that:

*Helen is to become immortal and stay with the gods.

*The lives of Orestes, Pylades and Electra are to be spared.

*Orestes is to marry Hermione, at whose throat he is presently holding a sword.

*Pylades is to marry Electra.

*Menelaus is to leave Argos to be ruled by Orestes, and he is to go to Sparta and rule there.

*No one is to blame anyone for the Trojan War.  The gods set it all up to decrease the population.

*Everyone is to make peace with everyone else and play nicely.

And….just like that, all loose ends are tied up and everyone obeys Apollo.  This is just too tidy an end to suit me.  The play and the problems build for 17 pages and then POOF, Apollo appears and everything is resolved in half a page.  This is worse than some TV dramas.  At least in those you can look back and see the beginning threads of the resolution.  This ending comes out of nowhere!

Interesting quotes:

             Menelaus:  What ails thee?  What is thy deadly sickness?

             Orestes:  My conscience; I know that I am guilty of an awful crime.

Orestes:  For such friends as desert us in the hour of adversity, are friends in name but not in reality.

Chorus:  His is an enviable lot, who is blest in his children, and does not find himself brought into evil notoriety.

             Menelaus:  …how can you win a great cause by small efforts?

Orestes:  I will cease praising thee, for there is something wearisome even in being praised to excess.

Apollo:  …for the gods by means of Helen’s loveliness embroiled Troy and Hellas, causing death thereby, that they might lighten mother Earth of the outrage done her by man’s excessive population.

The Phoenician Maidens by Euripides

There is a great deal of overlap in the stories told by the Greek playwrights, so most of the characters in this play have been met before.  The play should have perhaps been named the unending grief of Oedipus.  The Phoenician maidens only serve as the chorus in the play and are not really party to the action.

After Oedipus learned that his wife Jocasta was actually his mother, he gouged out his own eyes.  He lives in blindness in isolated quarters in the castle, and the land of Thebes is ruled by his son Eteocles.  An agreement was made that Eteocles and his brother Polynices would share the throne by ruling alternate years.  Eteocles, however, has refused to surrender the throne to Polynices at the end of his year and has forced Polynices into exile.

Polynices went to a neighboring country and married well.  He has now returned to Thebes with an army, intending to take by force what was promised to him.  Jocasta, mother of the two boys, sees it as her role to try to bring about an agreement.  Both sons agree to a temporary truce in order to discuss what is to happen.  Polynices is determined to have his turn at ruling, which seems perfectly fair since it was promised.  Eteocles is absolutely defiant.  He has tasted power, and he is not about to give it up.  Shall I become his slave, when I can be his master?  He also makes accusations against Polynices for the affront of coming against his own native city with an army.

Jocasta does her best to mediate.  Art thou so set on ambition, that worst of deities?  Better far, my son, prize equality that ever linketh friend to friend…and allies to each other; for equality is man’s natural law.  Her efforts are to no avail.

Meanwhile, Creon, brother of Jocasta, has sought the counsel of the prophet Teiresias, who says that the only hope for the city is if Creon sacrifices his son Menoeceus.  Creon intends to send Menoeceus away before someone overhears this and demands his life.  Menoeceus agrees to run away, but never intends to do so.  His plan is to sacrifice himself to the gods to save the city.  He follows through with this to Creon’s grief.

Polynices attacks the city gates with his army.  Eteocles has stationed men at each gate and they repel the army of Polynices even though it is larger.  Both sons survive this initial onslaught.  They then agree to avoid further bloodshed by meeting in individual combat.  One of them must die.

Jocasta calls Antigone, her daughter, to go with her to try and stop the duel between her sons, but she arrives too late.  They are both dead.  Jocasta grabs one of the swords and kills herself.

 

The bodies of Eteocles, Polynices and Jocasta are brought into the palace.  Creon now declares that Oedipus will be banished to remove the curse from Thebes and that Eteocles will be given proper burial, but Polynices will be thrown outside the city for the dogs and birds.  Antigone swears that she will bury her brother Polynices.  Creon declares she will be killed if she does, and that she must on the next day marry his son Haemon.  Antigone declares that if forced to do so, she will murder Haemon on the wedding night.  She plans to leave the city with her father Oedipus and help him in his blindness and exile.  Oedipus and Antigone leave as Oedipus declares, Weak mortal as I am, I must endure the fate that God decrees.

Interesting quotes:

Euripides seems to need to get in at least one nasty jab toward women in all of his plays.  The Old Retainer says, Now the race of women by nature loves scandal; and if they get some slight handle for their gossip they exaggerate it, for they seem to take a pleasure in saying everything bad of one another. 

Jocasta:  This is a slave’s lot that thou describest, to refrain from uttering what one thinks.

                Stay a moment; haste never carries justice with it.

                …lay aside your violence; two men’s follies, once they meet, result in very deadly mischief.

Menoeceus:  …if each were to take and expend all the good within his power, contributing it to his country’s weal, our states would experience fewer troubles and would for the future prosper.

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?   Job 2:10

Ten days ago I was an unusually healthy and active 69 year old.  I did pretty much everything I wanted to do.  I cleaned my own home (including the vacuuming and knocking down ceiling cobwebs), went ice-skating, gave rides to family members (including the need to load the wheelchair in the car for one of my daughters), baked dozens of cookies and cupcakes, grocery shopped carrying in my own grocery bags if my husband wasn’t handy to do it, and I certainly bathed and dressed myself.

Then in a split second, my active life was derailed.  

My 23 year old granddaughter was out of town for Christmas, so when she returned I asked her if she would like to go out for lunch with me.  In the car while heading in the direction of several restaurants, we discussed options.  She wanted Chinese.  We settled in a booth and ordered our beverages.  Then I said, “Are you ready to go up to the buffet?”  She nodded and started down the aisle only 3 to 5 feet ahead of me.  As we passed the last booth in the aisle, the cane of the woman sitting there, somehow fell behind my granddaughter, but in front of me.  My granddaughter thinks the woman’s husband knocked it over as he slid back into the booth.

I never saw the cane.  By the time I heard a “clunk” of something hitting the floor, I was already on my way down.  It happened so quickly that I didn’t even have time to put out my hands to try and catch myself.  I hit my knees on the floor but then pitched down unbelievably hard on my right shoulder.  I was flat on my face on the floor of the Chinese restaurant and suddenly surrounded by people claiming to be nurses and worried restaurant staff wanting to call an ambulance.

I insisted that they not call an ambulance and give me a chance to assess myself.  I answered all the “nursie” questions.  No, I had not hit my head.  I was not having any chest pain.  I had no numbness in my hand.  The distended vessels in my hand are normal…..I have had “old lady” hands for decades.

After a bit, I was able to roll myself over and get into a sitting position, and then eventually to lift myself into a nearby empty booth.  I sat there for a few minutes.   I told my granddaughter (who was crying in distress) to go get her food.  I returned to our booth and drank some hot tea.  I was in pain and had no appetite.  As logic kicked in, I realized I could not drive, and that I did not have complete range of motion.  I called my husband and said I would need a ride to the ER.

After x-rays determined, I had no broken bones, I was sent home with my arm in a sling and instructions to ice it for the first 2 days, take Tylenol, and see an orthopedic doctor if things didn’t improve.  For the first two days, I was in too much pain to try to move it very much.  The third day, the pain was less and I had some side to side movement.  My elation over this was short-lived when I realized that I could not lift my arm upward at all.  My brain sent the message, and my arm trembled trying to respond, but my arm was like that of a puppet with the string cut.

So, the ortho doctor says he believes I have a “massive rotator cuff tear.”  I will need surgery, but first I must have an MRI.  I am waiting for insurance approval of this.  The wheels are turning slowly, and I am beginning to be horrified at the long-term impact of this on my life.

Of course, some what-ifs have occurred to me.  What if we had gone out to lunch on a different day?  What if we had decided to go to a different restaurant?  What if we had gone to the buffet 2 seconds earlier or later?  Why did I have an appointment with that cane?  If someone had been trying to trip me, they could have tried 50 times and not done it with such effective precision.

But…I believe that for those of us who love God and desire for Him to guide our lives, He works in the smallest of details to put us where we need to be when we need to be there.

I am not happy that I am currently so helpless and dependent on my husband.  I bathe and dress myself with difficulty and need his help with some of it.  I am trying to plan meals that can be prepared one-handed or require just a bit of help.  I am key-boarding this with my arm in the sling suspended over the keyboard so that I can reach with finger and wrist movement.  Yesterday I discovered I can play the piano in the same way, as long as I stick to the basics and don’t get carried away with my right hand.  I can’t imagine how I will go months without driving.  This may completely destroy our plans to meet our son and his family in Colorado next month.  Annually, they come from California and we come from New York, and we share a condo in the mountains for a week.  My husband skis and my son and daughter-in-law snowboard.  I do neither, but enjoy the quiet time and the joy of being with family.  The real draw this year is the sweet baby girl that joined their family 6 months ago.  I was looking forward to watching her so they could enjoy their activities.  Sigh!

But…

…man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.  Job 5:7

and

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?   Job 2:10

Interesting guy, that Job,

and

an unfathomable God.

Where is He?

Where is He who is born King of the Jews?

We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophets.

Where have you been for the past three days, my son?

We have been searching for you anxiously.

In the temple, about my heavenly Father’s business.

Where is the carpenter, the son of Joseph?

He is creating some furniture for my home.

In the workshop building, repairing…..waiting.

Where is the teacher about whom we have heard?

We have come to see a miracle and hear his words.

In the boat, commanding the wind, quieting the storm.

Where is the Messiah? Where is the King of the Jews?

If he is such, let him save himself and us….but He is

In the throes of death, suffering on a cross.

Where is my Lord?  Where have you laid him?

He is no longer in the tomb, and I must find him.

He is risen and goes before you.

Where is He who will liberate His creation?

Do we not all groan in bondage to decay and death?

He will come from the heavens with a shout!

He is building, repairing, waiting, commanding.

Suffering with us, He is about His Father’s business.

He goes before you and will come as the prophets have written.

When?  Will it be today?  This year?

It is not for us to know the times or dates,

The Father has set by his own authority.

Where?

When?

We wait.

Scriptures used:  Matthew 2:2-5, Luke 2:43-49, Mark 6:2-3, Matthew 8:23-27, 27:42, Mark 16:4-7, Romans 8:21-22, I Thessalonians 4:16, Acts 1:7

On a Quiet December Morning

In the quiet, still and windless dawn,

Snow hangs on trees undisturbed.

Dark branches silhouette against the gray

Of morning sky.

On the sidewalk snow, imprints reveal

Nighttime activity of small creatures,

Little feet with a purpose unknown to me

Have passed by.

Outside my bubble of quiet calm.

Lies a world of turmoil, in need of peace,

But with jubilant angel declaration, He came!

Is that not why?

And so my feet must move with purpose,

I must leave an imprint in the cold world,

Come with me to see the babe in the manger

And lullaby,

Glorify,

Magnify

Crucify! 

Crucify?

Ah, yes…the plan from the beginning of time.

Atonement requires a spotless lamb.

The Son of God grows up.  He lives

In order to die.

To the still and darkness of my heart

Comes a flash of blinding light…insight.

I see my need, your gift!  Oh, Savior…

Do not pass me by!

A Blog Worth Repeating at Christmastime

Every year at Christmastime, I reminisce about my first Christmas away from my family. I was 18 years old and in my second year of Nursing School. In those "olden days," nursing programs were based in hospitals, rather than colleges. The education was inexpensive, because the student nurse was basically the hospital's slave. We got four weeks of vacation a year, and it was not our choice when we took it. So it was that in 1963, I was hundreds of miles away from my family trying to discover Christmas on my own.

I attended a church in Oak Park regularly and sang in the church choir. Just before Christmas there was to be a Sunday evening concert by the choir. Although I often sang solos, duets and other special parts, the only one I had been scheduled to sing that night was with two other girls on the same part in one of the choir numbers. During the hour before the concert, the college and career group was meeting, and that's where I was when someone called me out of the meeting with, "Larry wants to see you."

Larry was the church pianist, and I couldn't imagine what he wanted with me. I soon learned that the program was to include a special arrangement by Larry of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." It was to be a duet, but the alto was ill with laryngitis. Larry wanted me to sing the part, because he really wanted his arrangement to be included in the program.

I am not sure how clearly I expressed verbally what I was thinking, but it went something like, "You're crazy! I am a soprano. I have never sung alto in my entire life. The concert is about 40 minutes from beginning. How could I possibly learn the part that quickly? Plus which, it isn't just for the hundreds of people attending....it's going to be recorded. If I mess up, there will be lasting evidence!"

Larry calmly informed me that the alto had the melody in some of the piece, and he could teach me the rest. He was so confident that I could do this, that I gave in. I had some misgivings about my sanity, but I gave in.

In the next 15 to 20 minutes, he analyzed the part for me. He told me that when I had to pick out the harmony, he would emphasize my note in the chord just before my entrance. He described some of the intervals as being similar to those in other songs he knew I was familiar with. We went through it about 3 times.

And I did it.  Now listening to the recording, there is one note that makes me uncomfortable. Not because it is a clunker, but because I attacked it too vigorously.

When Christmas Day came, a group of us decided to go caroling in the halls of the hospital before work at 7 AM. One of the girls in the group knew which room was occupied by a reputed Mafia boss whose bodyguards never left his side. We decided we would sing right outside his door. When we finished, a voice boomed out of the room with a stereotypical, "Tanks, goils." We hastened into the stairwell before bursting into giggles, which I expect he heard.

I had been working with the same patients for several days, so I took Christmas cards for them with me to work that morning, only to discover I had been reassigned to the other end of the floor. Being short-staffed had caused some realignment. I was disappointed when I realized that I had been assigned to two patients who had had strokes and were comatose. I had wanted to interact and spread some Christmas cheer.

When I entered the room of these two totally unresponsive ladies, I was startled to see that a beautiful orchid had been pinned to the pillow of one of the women. Her son had come in early that morning and placed it there as a token of his love for her. For me, it was a reminder that these ladies were not just blobs of humanity, but mothers who were loved. My whole attitude was abruptly altered.

As I bathed them, changed their positions, put clean sheets on the bed and gave other care that Christmas Day, I sang carols to them. I had no idea if they could hear the songs, but if a son cared enough to leave an orchid, I needed to care enough to make an attempt at helping them know that it was Christmas....a day for joy in the midst of pain.

Now every year, I listen to that old recording of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." Over the years, the record became scratchy, and I put the song on a tape. Eventually I put it on a CD. I listen somewhat in awe of how well I actually did, but mostly because listening calls me back to that era of my life. It makes me remember my 18 year old self having the courage to perform a piece I didn't know well, laughing over "Tanks, goils," and having an orchid on a pillow adjust my attitude.

Being with family for Christmas is wonderful, but the real meaning is in experiencing the love, peace, joy and salvation that the Baby in the Manger entered our world to bring.

I knew that in my head before I was 18, but that year, it filled my heart.

Wake Up!

It seems to me that the majority of teens and young adults have no ability to think about anything substantive.  Well, maybe this isn’t just a young person’s problem.  Maybe it is true of people in general.

Their heads seem to be full of the occurrences in the “lives” of people who aren’t REAL people….i.e. characters they see on TV or in the movies.  They bounce to the beat of music with incomprehensible lyrics.  They travel “in the zone” while playing video games. They blather on endlessly in totally empty-headed conversation.  Meanwhile, actual LIFE passes them by.

Does anyone ever think any more about who they are and why they are here?  I mean, beyond the notion that one must do something to obtain money in order to obtain material possessions and maintain a cell phone with unlimited calls, text and data.  Notice I have not stipulated whether this money is earned or derived from a government program.  Also, whether or not material possessions are obtained honestly or dishonestly is not even a consideration.  The line between right and wrong has become so blurred that the possibility that a line exists is shrugged off.

To be fair, I do know a few people who consider their motives and the implications of their actions, but I also know a bunch who don’t…..who seem incapable of this level of thought.  How can a person like myself even talk to such people?  Where does one begin?  It is as though their heads are so full of white noise that they can hear nothing.  Or perhaps, instead of the emptiness that white noise implies, they are so full of the disorganized clutter of unrelated debris, that there is no chance of bringing order into the chaos.  No logical thought can precipitate out of the mess.

I would dearly love to confront certain people with some truths.

*There is a God who is creator and sustainer of the universe.

*He loves you enough that He sent His Son to die in your place as a payment for your sins. 

*He has a plan for your life.

*If you even begin to comprehend this and look to Him for guidance, your life will have meaning and you will understand what it means to experience joy.

*It seems so obvious to me….why don’t you get it?  Stop believing all those lies the world is telling you.  This really works! 

But, they continue in their mental and spiritual fog.  When they are upset, they look to me for help in the form of money or other marvelous solutions to their dilemmas.  But…they don’t want the REAL ANSWER, which is admitting they don’t have the answers, and God does. 

Wake up!  Swallow some pride, and throw yourself at God’s feet.  Let Him lift you up.  You are here for a reason.