The Trojan War

Draft 2, May 12, 2017

Contents

The Players 2

Act I: The Judgment of Paris 3Scene 1: The Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Scene 2: The Deception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Scene 3: The Betrayal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Scene 4: The Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Scene 5: The Sacrifice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Act II: The War 13Scene 1: Opening Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Scene 2: Hector Joins the Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Scene 3: The Greek Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Scene 4: On Mt. Olympus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Scene 5: The Death of Patroklos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Act III: The Wrath of Achilles 17Scene 1: The Battle of Achilles and Hector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Scene 2: Brothers in Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Act IV: The Last Days of Troy 20Scene 1: Inside the Walls of Troy—The Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Scene 2: On the Beach—The Greek Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Act V: A Gift from the Greeks 23Scene 1: The Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Scene 2: The Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Characters 25

Resources 30Pronunciation Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

1

The Players

Achilles Kevin or AlekaiAgamemnon Spencer or LukeAndromache Sisi

Aphrodite MariannaArtemis AmyAthena Rena or Tallulah

Cassandra SavannahClytemnestra Abi

Eris SisiHector BearHecuba Josselyn or MariannaHelena Brigette or SylvanaHera Josselyn or Kate

Hermes Dante or JackIphigenia EstreyaLaocoon TadeoMenelaus HaydenOdysseus Percival

Paris Ethan or Luke or KatePatroklos ZephanPerseus Percival

Poseidon Cameron or Who?Priam Luke

Thanatos PflipsenServant PflipsenServants Pflipsen

Messenger PflipsenGuard TadeoSpirits Galen, DanteThetis AbiZeus Kate or Luke

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahGreek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Trojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?

Musicians Amy, Rena, Tallulah

2

Act I: The Judgment of Paris

Scene 1: The Wedding

Thetis AbiPerseus Percival

Eris SisiAphrodite Marianna

Athena Rena or TallulahHera Josselyn or KateZeus Kate or LukeParis Ethan or Luke or Kate

Menelaus HaydenAgamemnon Spencer or Luke

Helena Brigette or SylvanaHermes Dante or Jack

Set: Olympian Wedding

Thetis: (excited) We are so happy you could all come to our wedding! It is wonderful to seeeveryone here!

Perseus: Yes, we invited all the gods and goddesses except one. No one likes Eris, the goddessof Discord, and she always causes such a fight; we just couldn’t invite her. Now, we’regoing to have a great party!

Eris: (running in and yelling) How DARE you not invite ME to the wedding? Why shouldI, of all goddesses, be shunned and turned away from such a festive occasion? Well, Ibrought you a wedding present anyway – HERE! (hands the apple to Thetis, and stalksaway)

Aphrodite: (grabs the apple) What is this? It’s so. . . beautiful! It says, “To the Most Fair. . . ”

Athena: (grabs the apple) Obviously, it should go to one of the goddesses. Like me.

Hera: (grabs the apple) No way! I am the queen of the goddesses, the most powerful, and themost beautiful. I deserve the apple!

Aphrodite: What? You, the most beautiful goddess? NEVER!

Athena: Well, why don’t we have someone decide who is the most fair and beautiful among us?Then, we can’t argue about it anymore.

3

SCENE 1: THE WEDDING ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Hera: I suggest Zeus. . . .(calling out) Zeus! Come here! We have a question for you.

Zeus: Yes, my lovely wife. I am always at your service. What can I do for you?

Hera: We need you to decide which among us—Aphrodite, Athena, or myself – is most beau-tiful. The goddess that you choose will get the golden apple that Eris threw at theparty.

Athena: (to herself) I wonder why she did that. . .

Zeus: (to himself/the audience) Well, this is a nice situation. How can I make such a choice?If I choose one goddess, the others will be angry at me. I can’t make Hera more angrythan she already is, and I would hate to upset Athena or Aphrodite. Hmmmm. . . whatshould I do? A HA! Ladies, goddesses, I could never make such a decision, becauseyou are all SO lovely. However, there is a mortal—his name is Paris—who has provenhimself very wise indeed. If you insist on such a competition, I say we should let HIMdecide which of you is the most beautiful.

Aphrodite: Oh, yes! That sounds wonderful. Bring him right away, my king.

(Other goddess nod approval)

Zeus: Very well. {calling) Hermes! (Hermes instantly appears) Bring Paris to me!

Hermes: Very well, my king. (exits)

(Hermes flies to find Paris in Troy, asleep)

Hermes: Paris! Wake up! The king of the gods, Zeus himself, requires you at this very moment!

Paris: What? ME? Well, of course I’ll come and do the bidding of Zeus.

(They travel back to Zeus and the goddesses)

Hermes: Here he is, my king. (bows and leaves)

Zeus: Thank you Hermes; you are always so fast. (turns to Paris) Now, Paris, I have animportant job for you.

Paris: (in profound awe) Oh, anything king Zeus. I would do anything you asked.

Zeus: (chuckling) Good to hear. Paris. (treasingly) I have heard of your wise decisions, andI have a decision for you to make now. (pauses to watch Paris’ reaction.) Do you seethese goddesses? (Paris nods) Each of them want this golden apple, and they’ve decidedthat the most beautiful goddess should have it. I cannot choose among these ladies thatI love so much, so, I have brought you here to make that decision. Choose wisely, youngman. (Zeus grins broadly, very pleased with himself.)

Paris: (stunned) Oh... Thank you for this honor, my King. (long pause...) Now... The mostbeautiful goddess. . . (steps worriedly to stage front)

Hera: (moves to confront Paris) Well, dear mortal. If you choose ME, I will make you a kingover all the lands of Europe and Asia. Your kingdom will be the greatest in the land!

4

SCENE 1: THE WEDDING ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Athena: (moves to confront Paris) And if you choose ME, Paris, I will teach you great skill inbattle and warfare. You, and you alone, will lead Troy to defeat your greatest enemy:Greece!

Aphrodite: (moves more slowly to confront Paris) Well, these are wonderful promises and bribes,aren’t they, Paris?... However, if you choose me, I will give you the most beautifulwoman in the world to be your wife.

Paris: (pauses to think) Ah! To be a king. . . To defeat the Greeks and earn great honor. . .To have the most beautiful woman in the world as my wife. . . This is a hard decision.(pauses to think) I’m going to have to choose Aphrodite!

(Athena and Hera storm off angrily)

Aphrodite: (snotty) Well, THANK YOU dear Paris. . . and as for your reward. . . the most beautifulwoman in the world is named Helena. And she is wife of Menelaus, brother of the Kingof Mycenea. I shall arrange for you to travel there and meet her.

Curtains: Close

5

SCENE 2: THE DECEPTION ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Scene 2: The Deception

Paris Ethan or Luke or KateMenelaus Hayden

Helena Brigette or SylvanaAgamemnon Spencer or LukeAphrodite MariannaNarrators Dayanara and TallulahServants Pflipsen

Set: Palace

(Helena sits on her throne. A servant approaches with a message.)

Servant to Menelaus Queen Helena. A stranger has arrived. He claims to be Paris. The prince ofTroy!

Helena Send him in.

(Servant backs away, and quickly returns with Paris.)

Paris (bows) Greetings Queen Helena.

Helena Hello traveler. You must be weary and hungry. And I am happy for some company.Come join us for a feast.

Paris Thank you Queen Helena. I am deeply honored.

Helena You are most welcome. As you well know, Zeus commands us to care for the traveler.A feast you need. And a feast you shall have! Come. Let us eat!

(Helena claps her hands at the servants and exits, leading her entourage to the feast.)

Music: ThemeLights: Slow fade to moonlight

(Helena wanders in her garden, gazing up at the moon, and humming softly to herself.)

Paris (walking quietly up to Helena) Helena! You must come with me! Aphrodite, that mostbeautiful of goddesses, has promised you to me.

Helena (shocked) What? No, I won’t leave Menelaus. I don’t care WHO promised me to you.

(Aphrodite appears, casting a spell on Helena as if by waving a wand.)

Paris (more confidently) What was that, Helena? Are you sure you don’t want to come backto Troy with me?

Helena Of course I do, Paris. I love you. Let us leave at once!

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SCENE 2: THE DECEPTION ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

(Both run away)

(Menelaus enters)

Menelaus Helena, I have returned. (pauses, looks around confused) Helena! Where are you?

Messenger (rushes in and whispers in Menelaus’ ear)

(Menelaus reacts with shock, and pushes the messenger away. Messenger backs away and exits.)

Menelaus NO! This can not be! My lovely wife. My Helena, captured by Paris? And our guest.Whom we honored. Sheltered. And fed. Has stolen away the love of my heart? Mybeautiful wife? This will not stand! Where is this stranger from Troy? (Menelaus rushesangrily away.)

Lights: Dusk

(Agamemnon enters strolling peacefully.)(Menelaus re-enters hand on sword, and marches up to Agamemnon.)

Menelaus (calling) Agamemnon!

Agamemnon What is it, brother? Why do you rush so in the dark of the night?

Menelaus Hear me King! That Trojan Paris, has stolen away with Helena. I will fight all of Troyto win her back.

Agamemnon Yes, this is a terrible wrong. And this prince of Troy is at fault. He who dishonorshis host has no honor at all. We shall attack Troy at once.

Narrators (And that is how a jealous goddess and a foolish man began the Trojan War.

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SCENE 3: THE BETRAYAL ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Scene 3: The Betrayal

Agamemnon Spencer or LukeMenelaus HaydenArtemis Amy

Odysseus PercivalNarrators Dayanara and TallulahMessenger Pflipsen

Set: Greek CampLights: Morning

Narrators: The Greeks try to sail to Troy from the port at Aulis. However the winds will not blowin their favor. They wait. And they wait...

Effects: Sound of grumbling soldiers.

Agamemnon: (frustrated) Why won’t the winds blow! What am I to do? The men are angrier eachday! And lo! Although I am King, I can not command the winds.

Menelaus: Perhaps, my brother, we should visit the Oracle to seek an answer.

Agamemnon: That is a splendid idea. Let us take Odysseus along, and seek council from the Oracle.

(The three men exit.)

Set: Oracle

(The three men enter and kneel before the Oracle. Artemis suddenly appears.)

Artemis: (mysteriously) Yes, one of your soldiers killed a deer on my temple grounds. As you wellknow, these deer are sacred to me. Now, YOU must offer a sacrifice to ME. Once youdo, the winds shall again blow, and you may sail to Troy.

Menelaus: (relieved) These are great tidings, my brother!

Odysseus: Indeed, my Lord.

Agamemnon: Thank you, Goddess! Yes, We shall gladly offer a sacrifice to you, and it will be thegreatest sacrifice We can give!

Artemis: (even more angrily) Indeed you shall, foolish one. Yet, you have not yet learned whatsacrifice you are to offer.

Agamemnon: (pauses frightened) What do you mean?

Artemis: You must sacrifice your oldest daughter, Iphigenia, to me. Only this will cause the windsblow. (disappears)

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SCENE 3: THE BETRAYAL ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

(Agamemnon collapses to the ground in sadness. His friends awkwardly try to comfort him. Herudely pushes them away. Menelaus and Odysseus exit.)(Curtains: close)

Agamemnon: (remaining on stage front before the curtain) (beseechingly) What am I to do? Howcan I sacrifice my beautiful daughter! (pauses to think...) But the army will rebel if Idon’t act. I could lose the kingdom! (craftily) Ah! I shall send for Iphigenia with themessage that she is to marry a Greek war hero. Achilles!

(Agamemnon exits.)

Curtains: Close

Messenger: (rushes across the stage in front of the closed curtain.)

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SCENE 4: THE MESSAGE ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Scene 4: The Message

Clytemnestra AbiIphigenia Estreya

Guard TadeoMessenger Pflipsen

Set: PalaceCurtains: Open

Messenger: (rushes in and bows) My Lady, I have a message from King Agamemnon.

Clytemnestra: Speak.

Messenger: Iphigenia is to travel to Aulis to be married to the hero, Achilles.

Clytemnestra: (excitedly) What wonderful news! I had no idea! Come, Iphigenia, we must gatheryour things for the wedding, and leave at once!

Iphigenia: Yes, mother. How exciting! I have heard that Achilles is very brave and handsome.What fortune that he wishes to marry ME!

(all exit)

Lights: Dusk

(Clytemenstra, Iphigenia, servants and guards enter. They are traveling to Aulis.)

Guard: (suddenly) Halt! Who goes there? Proclaim yourself.

(The column of travelers freeze. Guard protexts Clytemnestra and Iphigenia.)

Messenger: (calls from offstage) A message for the Queen.

Guard: Come forward. Slowly!

Messenger: (Enters carefully, with arms held high and a scroll in one hand.)

Guard: (Takes the scroll and hands it to Clytemnestra.)

Clytemnestra: (Reads the scroll, and fumes.) Agamemnon! How dare you sacrifice our daughter!What has she done to you?

Iphigenia: (collapses in fear)

Curtains: Close

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SCENE 5: THE SACRIFICE ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Scene 5: The Sacrifice

Agamemnon Spencer or LukeClytemnestra Abi

Menelaus HaydenOdysseus PercivalNarrators Dayanara and Tallulah

Greek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Achilles Kevin or Alekai

Iphigenia Estreya

Set: Palace

Agamemnon: Oh, my dear, I didn’t want to! But if I don’t, the army will rebel. Furthermore, wemust fight this war against Troy.

Clytemnestra: (sarcastically) And will you kill your daughter yourself?

(Agamemnon shrinks back in horror.)

Clytemnestra: Just you wait, Husband. Just you wait.

(Clytemnestra leaves in anger. Agamemnon sadly follows.)

Narrators: Iphigenia runs away to the forest. Weeping. Near sundown, Odysseus and Menelausmake their move.

(Odysseus and Menelaus and Greek Soldiers enter furtively.)

Odysseus: (looks around, then whispers) It’s time, Menelaus.

Menelaus: (turns to the soldiers) Go quickly! Find the girl. And bring her back!

(all exit.)

Set: Forest

(Iphigenia enters wandering calmly and thoughtfully through the forest. Soldiers march across thestage, and seize her)(Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles and Clytemnestra enter. The soldiers bring Iphigenia to them.)

Achilles: Lady, I was misused as well. Your father told a lie about me. For that, I promise toprotect you.

(Agamemnon and Odysseus take Iphigenia. The Greek soldiers stiffen, hands on swords, they faceAchilles ready for trouble.)

Iphigenia: Thank you Achilles, but I have already decided. I shall die with honor.

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SCENE 5: THE SACRIFICE ACT I: THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS

Clytemnestra: No, my child! You shouldn’t say that! Let Achilles protect you!

Iphigenia: No, I made my decision while hiding in the forest. On my honor I shall not change it.

Achilles: So be it. I shall be with you in case you change your mind.

(Odysseus and Menelaus lead Iphigenia away. All follow.)

Narrators: As Iphigenia is led calmly to the altar, the winds finally begin to blow.

Effects: Sound of wind blowing.

Greek Soldier 3: (calls loudly) The winds are blowing!

Greek Soldiers: (cheer from back stage) Hooray! Set the sails. Onward to Troy!

Curtains: Close

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Act II: The War

Scene 1: Opening Attack

Greek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Trojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?

Set: Battlefield

(The Greeks attack and drive the Trojans back through the gates of Troy)

Scene 2: Hector Joins the Battle

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahAndromache Sisi

Hector BearParis Ethan or Luke or Kate

Astyanax Galen

Set: Gate of Troy

Narrators: Hector knows that Troy is doomed. A gloomy fate awaits his wife and son,who will dieor go into slavery in a foreign land. He reluctantly goes out to lead a counter-attack.

Andromache: (Carrying their son Astyanax in her arms, intercepts Hector at the gate.) PleaseHector. For my sake. And your son. Do not go.

Hector: My dear Andromache, I cannot refuse to fight. And furthermore! NO ONE can kill meuntil it is MY time to go.

Effects: Sound of infant crying.

Hector: (Removes his helmet, kneels to comfort his son, and embraces his wife.) Oh Zeus.Protect my small family from harm. And from the terrible ravages of war.

Curtains close

13

SCENE 3: THE GREEK CAMP ACT II: THE WAR

Scene 3: The Greek Camp

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahOdysseus PercivalMenelaus Hayden

Agamemnon Spencer or LukeAchilles Kevin or Alekai

Patroklos Zephan

Set: Greek Camp

Narrators: The Greeks are losing the battle against Troy. Achilles is still angry at Agamemnon,and refuses to fight. He is such a powerful warrior, that without him, the Greeks haveno hope of winning.

Odysseus: (upset) We’re losing! Achilles is still upset over Agamemnon’s lie. Without him, we cannot win!

Menelaus: I know! What can we do? (thinks...) I have an idea. Let’s tell Agamemnon to apologizeto Achilles. And offer him much gold. Maybe THEN he will fight.

Odysseus: Agamemnon! You need to APOLOGIZE to Achilles. And give him gold. We will gotalk to him right now and see if he will fight for us.

Agamemnon: Yes, good idea. Go! Talk to him at once!

(All exit.)(Achillies and Patroklos are sitting together in the Greek Camp. Odysseus approaches them.)

Achilles: (sees Odysseus approaching.) Odysseus! It’s good to see you, old friend. How arethings?

Odysseus: Greeting old friend. Things are bad. That is why I have come to talk with you. Agamem-non deeply regrets that he lied about you. He wishes to apologize, and offers you thisgold if you will come fight with us. He promises much more once we defeat Troy!

Achilles: No, Odysseus. I will not. Agamemnon shamed me. I will NOT fight until the Trojansfight their way to the shore, and all your ships are burning.

Odysseus: (deep sigh... with great disappointment) So be it, my noble friend. I leave you reluc-tantly. (Odysseus exits the way he came.)

Patroklos: My friend, it saddens me to see the Greeks losing. I have a thought. Allow me to wearyour armor, and march out onto the battlefield. The Trojans will think I am you andflee back into their filthy city.

Achilles: Hmmm. . . . Okay Patroklos, you may do so. But you must promise to return as soon asthe Trojans begin to flee. Don’t fight anyone! I could not bear it if you were to die.

Patroklos: (solemnly) I promise, Achilles.

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SCENE 4: ON MT. OLYMPUS ACT II: THE WAR

Scene 4: On Mt. Olympus

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahHera Josselyn or Kate

Athena Rena or TallulahPoseidon Cameron or Who?

Zeus Kate or LukeAchilles Kevin or Alekai

Patroklos Zephan

Set: Mt. Olympus

(Achilles is helping Patroklos don the armor.)(Zeus sits half asleep on his thrown. He does not pay any attention.)(Athena, Hera and Poseidon take the opportunity to gossip and hatch a plot.)

Narrators: The gods and goddesses on Mt. Olympus have been very involved in the war. They haveall taken sides: Hera, Athena, and Poseidon are fighting for the Greeks, while Apollo,Artemis, and Aphrodite fight for the Trojans. They fought so much, and helping theirfavorite armies so much, that mighty Zeus became irritated, and has commanded themto stay out of the mortals’ war.

Hera: I can’t believe Zeus won’t let us fight. I WILL take my revenge on those Trojans! I’llWILL teach Paris a lesson. I WILL show him what happens when mortals don’t chooseME!

Athena: I agree! The Greeks should win. We must distract Zeus somehow or he will stop usfrom fighting again.

Poseidon: Why don’t we trick him into falling asleep? Then, we can do whatever we want!

Hera: Grand idea!

Narrators: Hera convinces the God of Sleep to cast a spell on Zeus so that he falls into a deep sleep.

(Zeus falls asleep. Then, the gods and goddesses rejoin the battle. Soldiers on both sides fight, asHera, Athena, Poseidon and other gods fight as well.)(Zeus finally wakes up.)

Zeus: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!? I told you NOT to involve yourselves in this war! (grabsthe gods and goddesses and pulls them out of the battle.)

Zeus (grabbing Hera last.) Hera! What will make you stop all this and leave them be?

Hera: The Trojans must lose, Zeus. It’s the only way I will feel any peace.

Zeus: Fine! The Trojans will lose in the end. But YOU must let me do it MY way!

Hera: Agreed! I’ll stay out of it!

(All gods exit. Patroklos stands alone, readying himself for battle.)

15

SCENE 5: THE DEATH OF PATROKLOS ACT II: THE WAR

Scene 5: The Death of Patroklos

Thanatos PflipsenTrojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?

Hector BearPatroklos Zephan

Trojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?Odysseus PercivalAchilles Kevin or Alekai

Set: Battlefield

(Patroklos stands alone on the battlefield, admiring his armor.)Hector leads a column of Trojan Soldiers onto the battlefield. At the sight of Achilles’ armor thesoldiers flee in panic. Hector and Patroklos stand alone facing each other on the battlefield.)

Hector: (noticing the trick, calls behind him) Wait, Trojans! That’s not Achilles! It’s onlyPatroklos wearing his armor! (no response from the Trojans.)

Hector: Ha! I will fight this imposter alone, and take Achilles’ armor for myself!

(Hector and Patroklos fight. Hector eventually wins, as Thanatos directs the weapon that killshim.)

Hector: (pridefully) I have killed Patroklos! Look at this amazing armor. Now I will be trulyinvincible!

(Hector grabs the armor and exits.)(Odysseus and Achilles enter searching the battlefield. Odysseus sees the dead Patroklos and freezes,as Achilles keeps searching.)

Achilles: Odysseus, where IS my friend, Patroklos? I’ve been through so much with him. He islike a brother to me.

Odysseus: Achilles.. I have sad news... It seems Hector has killed Patroklos and taken your armor.

Achilles: (groans with anguish) Hector—and all Trojans—shall pay!

Lights: OutCurtains: Close

16

Act III: The Wrath of Achilles

Scene 1: The Battle of Achilles and Hector

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahThanatos Pflipsen

Thetis AbiAchilles Kevin or AlekaiHector BearPriam Luke

Servants Pflipsen

Set: Battlefield

Narrators: Achilles tells his mother, Thetis, that he is joining the battle. She begs him to waituntil she can get new armor from Hephaestus, the blacksmith of the gods. That night,Hephaestus makes the most beautiful and the strongest armor anyone has ever seen.

Thetis: Achilles, my son. Here is your new armor. May your deeds today be sung about for athousand years. (Thetis helps Achilles don the armor, and then exits.)

Achilles Oh, this armor is magnificent! Now I am ready to fight Hector and kill him for killingmy one true friend! (turns) Prepare to die, Hector.

(Achilles and Hector approach each other and fight to the death. Thanatos directs the weapon asAchilles kills Hector.)

Achilles You have gotten what you deserve, Trojan Hector.

(Achilles drags Hector’s body through the dust.)

Thetis: (rushes up to Achilles) Achilles, my son! Disrespecting Hector in this way won’t bringyour friend back from the dead. Look—here comes Priam, Hector’s father, the king ofTroy, to ransom Hector’s body. Have pity on this poor old man whose dear son youhave killed. He comes alone, unarmed. (long pause) He looks so much like your father!(on hearing this Achilles finally looks up at Priam.)

Priam: (Falls at Achilles’ feet, weeping) Achilles! Great Warrior! I have come to beg you to letme take my dear son home to rest in peace.

17

SCENE 2: BROTHERS IN ARMS ACT III: THE WRATH OF ACHILLES

Achilles: (Wiping tears from his eyes—lifts Priam from the ground) Old man, your sorrows onlymake my heart ache more. Take Hector home, and give him the princely funeral hedeserves. My grief made me despise honor and kindness, but seeing your tears awakensme from my trance of rage. All men must die, and all are sons and brothers.

(Priam and Thetis carry Hector’s body away.)(Achilles stands alone on the battlefield, watching them leave.)(Curtains: close)

Narrators: Following Hector’s funeral, the battle rages on for ten long years as the Greeks lay siegeto Troy. Each side suffers terrible losses. Finally, even Achilles, the bravest and fiercestof the Greeks, is slain by an arrow—guided by Apollo—from Paris’ deadly bow.

Scene 2: Brothers in Arms

Musicians Amy, Rena, TallulahGreek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Trojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?Greek Soldier 1 Emerson

Thanatos PflipsenSpirits Galen, Dante

Set: Battlefield (with fallen Greek and Trojan soldiers)Effects: Dry ice; Sound of windLights: Dusk

Musicians: (play “Brothers in Arms”)

Greek Soldier 1: (sings “Brothers in Arms”)

Thanatos: (Directs the Spirits to lead fallen soldiers to the Afterworld.)

Spirits: (Silently lead fallen soldiers away.)

Curtains: Close

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SCENE 2: BROTHERS IN ARMS ACT III: THE WRATH OF ACHILLES

Musicians: Intro

Verse 1

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Amburn

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Gsus4 - Garms

Musicians: Instrumenal 1

Verse 2

Through theseEm(A#)fields of de

Fstruction

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Musicians: Instrumenal 3

Verse 3

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Musicians: Outro

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Act IV: The Last Days of Troy

Scene 1: Inside the Walls of Troy—The Palace

Helena Brigette or SylvanaCassandra Savannah

Hecuba Josselyn or MariannaMessenger Pflipsen

Set: Palace

Helena: This siege is driving me crazy! I am sooooo bored! Where is Paris? He promised tobring me some peaches. I am soooooo tired of eating nothing but raisins and olives,raisins and olives, raisins and olives... Where is Paris?!

Cassandra: Um... Paris? You mean my silly, handsome brother? I’m pretty sure we won’t beseeing him ever again. Not only that, but the Greeks are going to sneak into the city ina couple of weeks and kill us all while we’re sleeping...

Hecuba: Please, Cassandra! Enough! Don’t talk that way! We need to stay positive.

Helena: Yes, Cassandra! Always doom and gloom with you, isn’t it? Just give it a rest! Mypeaches are on their way. Sweet, juicy, deeeeelicious...

Messenger: (Arrives running, and out of breath) Noble ladies of Troy! My deepest apologies. (bowslow) I’m so sorry to be bringing you even more sad news: Paris was wounded yesterdayin battle—hit by a Greek archer’s poisoned arrow—alas! He has died from his wound.

Hecuba: (Shrieks) My son! My son! My beautiful son is dead! (She faints)

Cassandra: Just like I said. (crosses her arms) No one ever believes me. First Hector and nowParis—both my brothers are dead. Helena. This is your fault.

Helena: Paris?! Dead? Dead?! Ooooooooh!! My Peaches!!! (Bursts into sobs and runs offstage)

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SCENE 2: ON THE BEACH—THE GREEK CAMP ACT IV: THE LAST DAYS OF TROY

Scene 2: On the Beach—The Greek Camp

Greek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Agamemnon Spencer or Luke

Odysseus Percival

Set: Beach

Soldier1: Agamemnon, do we HAVE to do more archery practice?

Soldier2: Yeah! We want to play jailbreak!

Soldier1: No, volleyball!

Soldier2: Whatever! We’re just getting kind of tired of all this WAR.

Soldier3: Totally! I’m sick of camping on this beach. I miss my home, and my family.

Soldier1: Me, too! By the time we get back to Greece our children will be all grown up! Theywon’t even know who we are...

Soldier2: Yeah! And the battles aren’t really so much fun anymore.

Soldier4: Definitely. My friends are all dead.

Soldier2: And in battle, you don’t even get a bathroom break!

Soldier1: So true! War stinks! Literally!!

Soldier4: Yeah! It’s just like a totally un-fun chore. Where people get killed.

Greek Soldiers: Yeah!!! WAR stinks! Dang! We want to go home!! Yeah!!!

Agamemnon: (Standing with volleyball) Guys! Guys! Settle down! I hear you! I hear what you’resaying. It’s all true. We’ve been here way too long. Ten long years. And there’s no endin sight. Troy seems utterly impenetrable. These beach battles give me a bad sunburn.And now that Achilles is gone, my heart’s not really in it anymore...

Greek Soldiers: Totally! Yeah! What he said!

Agamemnon: Odysseus, you’re the cleverest of all us Greeks. Do you have any thoughts on whatour next step should be?

Odysseus: Well, thanks for the props, Agamemnon! And, yes! Since you ask... I DO have a thoughtor two. Actually, it’s more than a thought: It’s a magnificent PRANK that will allow abunch of us to get into Troy. In fact, the Trojans will just open up the gates and leadus right up to the Palace steps without even realizing what they’re doing to themselves.

Agamemnon: Oh, Odysseus! You really are a masterful trickster! But is this honorable, to play atrick, and win this war by sleight-of-hand?

Odysseus: Was it honorable for Paris to steal away the wife of Menelaus, his most generous andunsuspecting host? This war BEGAN with a STUPID deception. Let it END with anINGENIOUS one!

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SCENE 2: ON THE BEACH—THE GREEK CAMP ACT IV: THE LAST DAYS OF TROY

Agamemnon: (smiling) Well spoken, my witty friend. Let’s hear your plan. I’m sure it’s painfullyamazing.

Odysseus: Okay! Well, we’re going to need wood—lots of it! And tools, and... (The two friendsexit, plotting...)

Curtains: Close

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Act V: A Gift from the Greeks

Scene 1: The Gift

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahTrojan Soldiers Brigette, Dante, Who?, Who?

Laocoon Tadeo

Set: Horse on BeachLights: Night, slow fade to morning

Narrators: The Greeks build a massive horse out of fresh-cut pine and pretend it is an offering tothe goddess Athena for their safe return to Greece. Inside the belly of the beast, theyhide their greatest warriors, and then sail their ships to a nearby island to wait for thefinal attack... (pause) A new day dawns...

Trojans: (guarding the city walls) Where are the Greeks? Where have they gone?... (pause inconfusion) The siege is lifted! (joyfully) Open the gates!

(Trojans stream out of the gate, and down to the beach where they discover the Greeks’ incredibleoffering towering over a deserted camp.)

Trojan1: The Greeks are so weird and terrible! Thank Apollo they are gone!

Trojan2: What is this monstrosity that they have left behind?

Trojan1: It is an offering to their protectress, bright-eyed Athena, the virgin patroness of Athens,the goddess of wisdom and warcraft.

Trojan2: It gives me the creeps! It’s so stupendously huge!!

Trojan3: We should bring it into the city and offer it to OUR gods, who have helped US throughthe siege to this glorious day!

Trojan1: Yes, we should. We’ll need giant wheels. And a massive rope.

Trojan3: Okay! Let’s do this!

Trojan2: Uh...really? Hmmmm...okay, why not?! (Trojans run offstage & return with giant wheels& massive rope. They get to work hauling the giant horse through the city gates.)

Laocoon: (Running at top speed, out of breath, with spear) Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!! People ofTroy! What in the name of Poseidon do you think you’re doing!?

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SCENE 2: THE DOOR ACT V: A GIFT FROM THE GREEKS

Trojan1: Great Priest, Laocoon. The Greeks have left us this amazing horse. We are bringing itinto the city to offer to our gods. Perhaps you’d like to perform the rites?

Laocoon: Greeks bearing gifts? A gift horse? No! No! I fear the Greeks, and so should you. Thisis a ruse of some kind. Here, let me show you...

(Laocoon pokes the horse with his spear. A muffled “ow!” comes from inside the horse, but just atthat moment Laocoon is devoured by Serpents.)

Trojan1: That was weird!

Trojan2: Yeah! He disrespected the horse and BINGO! Serpents devoured him!

Trojan1: Yikes! Not good! We need to get this thing into the city as soon as possible, and showit some respect.

Trojan3: Let’s do this!

Trojan Soldiers: Yeah!!

(They move the horse through the gates, and celebrate around it.)

Lights: Slow fade to night.

(All Trojan’s wander off to sleep as night sets in. The stage is silent and empty—except for thehorse.)

Scene 2: The Door

Narrators Dayanara and TallulahGreek Soldiers Emerson, Cameron, Tadeo, Who?Agamemnon Spencer or Luke

Set: Horse in TroyLights: Fade to first light of dawn.Effects: Sound of door creaking open.

Greek Soldiers: (Silently descend from the horse, weapons drawn. )

Agamemnon: (whispers) Open the city’s gates.

(A Greek soldier sneaks away, as the remaining Greeks form a phalanx facing the audience.)

Narrators: Thus ends a long and terrible siege... A great war so foolishly begun.. And an ancientand queenly city, that is no more.

Lights: Fade to red

~ τέλος ~

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Characters

Achilles Achilles is a hero in the Trojan War. He is the son of Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, andThetis, a nymph. Both Zeus and Poseidon were in love with Thetis, however Prometheuswarned them of a prophecy that said the son of Thetis would be greater than his father.The two gods decided to withdraw, allowing Peleus to marry her. When Achilles wasborn, his mother wanted to make him immortal and so dipped him in the river Styx.However, his heel which did not touch by the water remained mortal.

Agamemnon Agamemnon is the king of Mycenae or Argos (different names for the same region). Hewas married to Clytemnestra, and had four children; Iphigenia, Orestes, Chrysothemisand Electra, also known as Laodike. When Agamemnon and Menelaus were young,they were forced to flee Mycenae when their cousin Aegisthus forcibly took possessionof the throne. Agamemnon and Menelaus found refuge in Sparta, in the court of KingTyndareus, and they later married Tyndareus’ daughters, Clytemnestra and Helena.After Tyndareus’ death, Menelaus became king, while Agamemnon managed to retakethe throne of Mycenae, exiling Aegisthus.

Andromache Andromache is the wife of Hector, daughter of Eetion, and sister to Podes. She wasborn and raised in the city of Cilician Thebe, over which her father ruled. The namemeans “fighter of me.n” (There was also a famous Amazon warrior named Andromache.)After Hector was killed by Achilles and Troy was taken by the Greeks, the Greek heraldTalthybius informed her of a plan to kill Astyanax, her son. This act was carried outby Neoptolemus who then took Andromache and Hector’s brother, Helenus, as slaves.When Neoptolemus died, Andromache married Helenus and became Queen of Epirus.Andromache eventually went to live with Pergamus in Pergamum, where she died at aripe old age.

Aphrodite Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. Apart from her natural beauty, shealso has a magical girdle that compels everyone to desire her. There are two accounts ofher birth. According to one, she was the daughter of Zeus and Dione, the mother goddessworshiped at the Oracle of Dodona. In the other account she arose from the sea on agiant scallop after Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea.Aphrodite then walked on the water to the shore of Cyprus. In a different version of themyth, she was born near the island of Cythera, hence her epithet “Cytherea”. Aphroditewas married to Hephaestus, however, she had an affair with her brother Ares, god ofwar. When Hephaestus found out about the affair, he devised a plan to humiliate hiswife and her lover in front of the other Olympians. Her holy tree was the myrtle, whileher holy birds were the dove, the swan, and the sparrow. Aphrodite represents love,sexuality, affection, and the attractions that bind people together.

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CHARACTERS

Artemis Artemis is the Greek goddess of hunting, the wilderness and wild animals. She is also agoddess of childbirth, and the protectress of girls up to the age of marriage. Her twinbrother Apollon is the protector of boys. Together the two gods are also bringers ofsudden death and disease—Artemis targets women and girls, Apollon men and boys. Inancient art Artemis is usually depicted as a girl or young maiden with a hunting bowand quiver of arrows.

Athena Athena is the virgin goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. She isthe daughter of Zeus; Her birth is unique in that she did not have a mother. Instead,she sprang full grown and clad in armor from Zeus’ forehead. She was fierce and bravein battle, however, she only took part in wars that defended the state and home fromoutside enemies. She is the patron of the city, handcraft, and agriculture. She inventedthe bridle, which permitted people to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, therake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She was the embodiment of wisdom,reason, and purity. She was Zeus’ favorite child, and was even allowed to use his weaponsincluding his thunderbolt. Her holy tree was the olive tree and she was often symbolizedas an owl. She became the patron goddess of Athens after winning a contest againstPoseidon by offering the olive tree to the Athenians.

Astyanax Astyanax is first born son of Hector and Andromache.

Cassandra Cassandra is the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, the lords of Troy. Thegod Apollo admired her, and gave her the gift of foretelling the future However, sherejected his advances. To punish her, Apollo cursed her so that no one would believeher prophecies. She foretold that if her brother Paris went to Sparta, he would be thecause of a war that would destroy Troy. Paris did not believe her, and instead returnedfrom Sparta with Helena. She also foretold that Troy would fall by a clever trick ofthe Greeks, the Trojan Horse. After the fall of Troy, she was taken by Agamemnonback to his home. Despite Cassandra’s warnings about the plots of Agamemnon’s wife,Clytemnestra, he went back home where he was murdered by his wife. When she died,her soul was sent to the Elysian Fields, a place in the Underworld where worthy soulsrested.

Clytemnestra Clytemnestra is the wife of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae or Argos. She is thedaughter of Tyndareus and Leda, rulers of Sparta, and sister of Castor, Polydeuces,and Helena. Clytemnestra was angry with her husband, both because of her daughter’ssacrifice, as well as because Agamemnon had killed her first husband and taken her byforce. Upon his return from Troy, Agamemnon was welcomed by his wife. When hewent to take a bath, Clytemnestra threw a net on him and stabbed him.

Eris Eris is the Greek goddess of strife and discord. Her name is the equivalent of theLatin Discordia, which means “discord?. Eris’ Greek opposite is Harmonia, whose Latincounterpart is Concordia. Homer equated her with the war-goddess Enyo, whose Romancounterpart is Bellona. The dwarf planet Eris is named after jer, as is the parody religionDiscordianism.

Hector Hector, the prince of Troy, is the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. His wife isAndromache and his son is Astyanax. Hector is considered the greatest warrior of Troy,but he did not approve of the war that had started between the Greeks and the Trojans.During the war, he was the leader of the Trojan army. It was prophesied that the first

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CHARACTERS

Greek who would land on Trojan soil would die. Odysseus, cunning as he was, threwhis shield on the soil and landed on it. Therefore, the next person who stepped off theship was Protesilaus who was killed in a duel with Hector, thus fulfilling the prophecy.Hector later proposed that a truce be called between the two sides, and a duel shoulddecide the result of the war. Ajax was the Greek hero who stepped forward and dueledHector. However, after a full day of fighting the dual ended in a stalemate. The twoheroes exchanged gifts, admiring each other’s strength and skill. Hector’s last fight wasagainst Achilles. Achilles, enraged that Hector had killed his friend Patroclus, draggedHector’s body outside the Trojan gates for twelve days.

Hecuba Mother of Paris

Helena Helena, or “Helen of Troy”, is the daughter of Zeus and Leda. A twin sister of Clytemnes-tra, she also has the twin brothers Castor and Pollux, also known as the Dioscuri. She isconsidered the most beautiful woman in the known world. Initially she was abducted bythe hero Theseus, who left her in the protection of his mother Aethra while he was awayadventuring. During that time, Athens was invaded by the Spartan army led by Castorand Pollux, taking Helen back and capturing Aethra instead. Later, a number of suitorstried to win her hand. Eventually Menelaus was the victor. All suitors, though, werebound by an oath to assist, in case Helena was abducted in the future. Her marriageto Menelaus, king of Sparta, made her a queen. They had a daughter, Hermione, andthree sons, Aethiolas, Maraphius and Pleisthenes. The marriage of Helena and Menelausmarked the beginning of the end for the age of heroes. This was Zeus’ decision, and itwas brought about by the Trojan War.

Hera Hera is the Olympian queen of the gods. She is married to her brother Zeus and is titledas the Queen of Heaven. She is the goddess of marriage, women, the sky, and the starsof heaven. She is usually depicted as a beautiful woman wearing a crown and holding aroyal, lotus-tipped scepter, and sometimes accompanied by a lion, cuckoo or hawk. Sheis the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She is jealously vengeful against Zeus’sother lovers and offspring, as well as any mortals who cross her.

Hermes Hermes is the son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia, and the second youngest of the Olympiangods (Dionysus being the youngest). Hermes is considered a god of transitions andboundaries. He is quick and cunning, moving freely between the worlds of the mortaland divine. He is an emissary and messenger of the gods; an intercessor between mortalsand the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife. He is the protector of herdsmen,thieves and travelers.

Iphigenia Iphigenia is the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra. While theGreek army was preparing to set sail for Troy, Agamemnon’s soldiers caused angered thegoddess Artemis by killing one of her sacred deer. In revenge, she stopped the winds,preventing the ships from sailin. The seer Calchas realised tjat Agamemnon had tosacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to appease the goddess. Reluctant at first, Agamemnonwas forced to agree in the end. He lied to his daughter and wife by saying that Iphigeniawas to marry Achillles. The mother and daughter happily went to the port of Aulis,only to find out the horrible truth. Achilles, unaware that his name was used in a lie,tried to prevent the sacrifice, but Iphigenia determined to sacrifice herself to preserveher honor.

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CHARACTERS

Laocoon Loacoon is a Trojan seer and a priest of the god Apollo. He warned the Trojans againstaccepting the wooden horse left by the Greeks.

Keres Monstrous daemones of violent death and disease. Presided over battlefield carnage,driving the weapons of death and tearing free the souls from the dying.

Menelaus Menelaus is a king of Sparta and husband of Helena. When Agamemnon and Menelauswere young, they were forced to flee Mycenae when their cousin Aegisthus forcibly tookpossession of the throne. Agamemnon and Menelaus found refuge in Sparta, in the courtof King Tyndareus, and they later married Tyndareus’ daughters, Clytemnestra andHelena. After Tyndareus’ death, Menelaus became king, while Agamemnon managedto retake the throne of Mycenae, exiling Aegisthus.

Odysseus Odysseus is a hero of Greek legends. He was king of the island of Ithaca and the maincharacter in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. He is well known as an eloquent speaker,ingenious and cunning. Before the Trojan War, Odysseus was one of the many suitorswho wanted to marry Helena. After Helen’s abduction by Prince Paris of Troy, allsuitors were summoned to help Menelaus in his quest to bring her back. Odysseus didnot want to join the expedition, for an oracle had informed him that if he participated, itwould take him a long time to return home. He decided to feign madness by harnessinga donkey and an ox to a plough and sowing salt on a field. Palamedes did not believeOdysseus was crazy, so he put Odysseus’ baby boy Telemachus in front of the plough.Odysseus immediately changed course, thus exposing his plan. For this reason, Odysseusalways held a grudge against Palamedes.

Pan Pan is the Greek god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds andrustic music, and companion of the nymphs. He has the hindquarters, legs, and hornsof a goat. He is the god of fields, groves, and wooded glens. Pan is connected to fertilityand the season of spring. The ancient Greeks considered Pan the god of theatricalcriticism and impromptus.

Paris Paris is the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, who eloped with Helena,queen of Sparta, thus causing the events that led to the Trojan War. Before he wasborn, Hecuba saw a dream in which her child was a flaming torch. The explanation tothe dream was given by the seer Aesacus. The yet unborn child would be the doom ofTroy. Aesacus also said on the day of Paris’ birth that a child born of royals that dayshould be killed in order to save the kingdom. However, Priam and Hecuba could notkill their baby son, and instead gave the baby to a herdsman so that he would do thedeed. The herdsman, also unable to kill the baby, left him to die on Mount Ida, but theboy was saved by drinking milk from a female bear. When the herdsman returned ninedays later, he found the baby still alive and took him back to Troy.

Patroklos As the tide of war turned against the Greeks and the Trojans were threatening theirships, Patroklus convinced his good friend Achilles to let him lead the Myrmidons intocombat. Achilles consented, giving Patroklus his armor. In the battle, Hector killedPatroclus. This so angered Achilles that he finally consented to join the battle againstTroy. The ashes of Achilles are said to have been buried in a golden urn along withthose of Patroclus by the Hellespont.

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CHARACTERS

Perseus Perseus was the legendary founder of Mycenae and the Perseid dynasty of Danaans.Alongside Cadmus and Bellerophon, he was the greatest Greek hero and slayer of mon-sters before the days of Heracles. Perseus beheaded the Gorgon Medusa and savedAndromeda from the sea monster Cetus. Perseus was the son of the mortal Danaë andthe god Zeus. and the half-brother and great grandfather of Heracles.

Poseidon Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, floods, drought and horses. He isstrong, with a dark beard, and holdis a trident (a three-pronged fisherman’s spear).At birth, Poseidon was swallowed whole by his father Kronos (Cronus), but Zeus laterenlisted the aid of the goddess Metis who fed the Titan a magical elixir causing himto disgorge the god. During the War of the Titans, the Kyklopes (Cyclopes) crafted amagical trident for Poseidon, and together with his brothers Zeus and Haides he defeatedthe elder gods and imprisoned them in Tartaros. Poseidon and his brothers drew lotsfor the division of the cosmos after the fall of the Titans. He won the sea as his domain.

Sinon The Greek servant boy who sneaks into Troy to open the secret door in the TrojanHorse.

Thanatos The ancient Greek personification of death. Thanatos was the son of Nyx, the goddessof night, and the brother of Hypnos, the god of sleep. He appeared to humans to carrythem off to the underworld when the time allotted to them by the Fates had expired.

Thetis Thetis is the Greek goddess of water. Thetis was the daughter of Nereus and Doris. Invery ancient Greek mythology, she is the creator of the universe. In the Trojan Warstories, the wedding of Thetis and Peleus led to the birth of their child Achilles, and isone of the precipitating events of the war.

Zeus Zeus is the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He overthrew his father,Cronus, and then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, in order to decidewho would succeed their father on the throne. Zeus won the draw and became thesupreme ruler of the gods, as well as lord of the sky and rain. His weapon was athunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased or defied him, especially liars andoathbreakers. He was married to Hera but often tested her patience, as he was infamousfor his many affairs. Zeus, the presiding deity of the universe, ruler of the skies andthe earth, was regarded by the Greeks as the god of all natural phenomena in the sky;the personification of the laws of nature; the ruler of the state; and finally, the fatherof gods and men. Using his shield, the Aegis, Zeus could create all natural phenomenarelated to the air and the sky, such as storms, tempests, and intense darkness. At hiscommand, mighty thunders would flash and lightnings would roll, wreaking havoc, orthe skies would open to rejuvenate the earth with life-giving water.

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Resources

Pronunciation Guide

The following site has audio clips of Greek name pronunciations.

• http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=sounds

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