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Delahoyde & Hughes
Orpheus
SEVEN AGAINST THEBES
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Seven Against Thebes seems to be the third play of an Oedipal
trilogy produced in 467 bce (and winning first prize). It contains
minimal action and plays more like an archaic pageant. Eteocles, son of
Oedipus, prepares to defend Thebes from his brother Polyneices and the
Achaians who, claims a prophecy, plan a night attack. A messenger reports
seeing seven commanders swearing by bull's blood to fight to the death.
The Chorus of Theban women see the enemies approaching. Eteocles prays
and promises sacrifices. The messenger returns and for each Achaian
commander at each of the seven gates Eteocles names Theban defenders.
He'll fight Polyneices himself at the seventh gate. The Chorus thinks
this is a bad idea -- there's already been too much of a family curse on
this clan. Grandpa Laius was instructed by the gods not to be a breeder
but nevertheless produced Oedipus, who in turn put a curse on his sons
when they treated him shabbily.
The messenger announces that Thebes is safe but that the brothers killed
each other. Antigone and Ismene, their sisters, enter with the corpses.
The city counselors insist that Eteocles be given an honorable funeral
but that Polyneices is to remain unburied. Antigone defies this and
announces she will bury him. The Chorus is divided about this plan.
Aeschylus. Seven Against Thebes. Trans. David Grene. Aeschylus II. 2nd ed. by David Grene & Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991. 87-130.