Play by Euripides was produced between the years 428 and 425 BC [its exact date of production is not known]. One of his many Nostoi plays [stories about the return home of the Greeks after the fall of Troy], It concerns Andromache, former wife of the Trojan hero Hector, son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, Andromache is now a slave in Phthia.
Argument
When Troy was taken by the Greeks, Andromachê, wife of that Hector whom Achilles slew ere himself was slain by the arrow which Apollo guided, was given in the dividing of the spoils to Neoptolemus, Achilles' son. So he took her oversea to the land of Thessaly, and loved her, and entreated her kindly, and she bare him a son in her captivity. But after ten years Neoptolemus took to wife a princess of Sparta, Hermionê, daughter of Menelaus and Helen. But to these was no child born, and the soul of Hermionê grew bitter with jealousy against Andromachê. Now Neoptolemus, in his indignation for his father's death, had upbraided Apollo therewith: wherefore he now journeyed to Delphi, vainly hoping by prayer and sacrifice to assuage the wrath of the God. But so soon as he was gone, Hermionê sought to avenge herself on Andromachê; and Menelaus came thither also, and these twain went about to slay the captive and her child. Wherefore Andromachê hid her son, and took sanctuary at the altar of the Goddess Thetis, expecting till Peleus, her lord's grandsire, should come to save her. And herein are set forth her sore peril and deliverance: also it is told how Neoptolemus found death at Delphi, and how he that contrived his death took his wife.
Setting: Phthia (Thessaly) before the palace of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles: nearby there is a temple dedicated to Thetis [Achilles mother].
Dramatis Personae: Andromache, Servant, Hermione, Menelaus, Boy [Molossus], Peleus, Hermione's Nurse, Orestes, Messenger, Thetis and Chorus of Phthian Women.
Structure
Prologue (Lines 1-116)
Parodos (Lines 117-146)
First Episode (Lines 147-273)
First Stasimon (Lines 274-308)
Second Episode (Lines 309-463)
Second Stasimon (Lines 464-493)
Third Episode (Lines 494-765)
Third Stasimon (Lines 766-801)
Fourth Episode (Lines 802-1008)
Fourth Stasimon (Lines 1009-1046)
Fifth Episode (Lines 1047-1069)
Exodos (Lines 1070-1288)
Alternative Structural Analysis
1. Prologue 1-116
[Dialogue 56-102]
Lament [103-110]
[111-116]
2. Parodos 117-146
3. First Episode 147-273
4. First Stasimon 274-308
5. Second Episode 309-463
6. Second Stasimon 464-501
7. Threnos 502-544
[sung or poetic lament memorializing the victim of a catastrophe]
8. Third Episode 545-765
9. Third Stasimon 766-801
10. Fourth Episode 802-1008
11. Fourth Stasimon 1009-1046
12. Exodos 1047-1288
Synopsis of Play
Andromache is clinging as a suppliant to the altar in front of the temple of the sea goddess, Thetis. She makes a long speech and lament about her fall from grace from being a noble princess in Troy, wife of its hero, Hector, son of king Priam to becoming the slave and concubine of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles and grandson of King Peleus of Phthia . Hector was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War. After the Greek had destroyed the city, along with all the other aristocratic women of Troy she and they were taken captive as slaves. She describes how her son with Hector, Astynax, had been hurled to his death from the walls of Troy. As well as becoming Neoptolemus' slave she has also become his concubine bearing him a son called Molossus.
Neoptolemus is married to Hermione, the daughter of the king of Sparta, Menelaus and Helen [of Troy]. Hermione is barren and is jealous of Andromache. Hermione has accused Andromache of casting evils spells on her marriage to Neoptolemus, cursing it. Hermione wants to kill Andromache. Menelaus has come to Thessaly from Sparta to help his daughter plot the murder. Andromache has fled to the temple of Thetis for sanctuary and protection for her and her son Molossus. Neoptolemus is away in Delphi to atone for having insulted Apollo [Phoebus], demanding that the god explain why Achilles his father had been killed.
Andromache's maid enters warning Andromache that Menelaus and his daughter Hermione are plotting to kill Molossus. The maid is Andromache's former personal servant from Troy, and now in exile with Andromache in Phthia. Andromache tells her maid to go to king Peleus, Neoptolemus' grandfather, to ask him for help. The maid exits. Andromache continues her lament for her situation, the loss of her beloved husband, Hector and her own captivity. The Chorus of Phthian Women enter and express sympathy with her.
Hermione enters and reveals her hostility toward and contempt for Andromache. Hermione blames Andromache for her husband's complete lack of interest in her and her inability to give birth to a child, For this she declares that Andromache has to die. Andromache points out to Hermione that it is her own pride and selfishness which has driven her husband away. She advises her not to copy the behaviour of her mother, Helen, whose passion was so devastating.
The women continue to argue [the agon] until Hermione leaves the stage. After a choral ode about the verdict of Paris and the Trojan War, from which the current suffering stems, Menelaus comes in and brings with him Andromache's son Molossus, whom he threatens to kill if Andromache continues to refuse to leave the altar.
Andromache expresses her contempt for Menelaus and calls him unworthy of the conquest of Troy. When Menelaus offers her the choice either to offer up her life for her son's, Andromache runs from the altar and embraces her child. She is happy to have the opportunity to save his life. But she has been deceived by Menelaus, who grabs her and tells her that Hermione will now decide the fate of Molossus. When Andromache realises that she has been deceived, she accuses the Spartan king of dishonesty, greed, cruelty and evil.
Andromache and Molossus are taken out briefly by Menelaus, whilst the Chorus of Phthian women lament their fate. Andromache and Molossus return back on stage with their hands bound. Menelaus follows. He coldly tells them that they must die. King Peleus arrives, and after a long harangue with Menelaus, he frees Andromache and Molossus. Menelaus gives in for the time being and says that he has to go back to Sparta to wage war against a neighbouring city. He says he will come back and persuade Neoptolemus to punish Andromache. Peleus comforts Andromache, promising safety for her and Molossus. The Chorus praise him.
The Hermione's Nurse enters and reveals to the Chorus that Hermione, afraid of Neoptolemus’ wrath when he hears of her plot against Andromache, is contemplating suicide. Carrying a sword, Hermione comes in and talks wildly of her fear of her husband and her desire to kill herself. As the Nurse tries to calm her, Orestes, the nephew of Menelaus, enters, seeking Hermione. She welcomes him enthusiastically and immediately asks his help. Orestes, who had been betrothed to Hermione before her marriage to Neoptolemus. He reveals that he has come to take her away and that he has arranged for the assassination of Neoptolemus at Delphi. Hermione and Orestes go off stage together. Soon Peleus returns, saying he has been told that Hermione has deserted her home. The Chorus replies that this report is true and that Orestes has planned to murder Neoptolemus. Soon a Messenger comes on stage reporting that Neoptolemus, whilst he was praying to Apollo, has been murdered by Orestes and his associates. As soon as the Messenger has left stage, the body of Neoptolemus is brought on. Peleus and the Chorus mourn the death of the young man and Peleus curses the marriage to Hermione that has destroyed his grandson.
At this moment of intense grief Thetis, the sea-goddess, appears as deus ex machina. She announces that Neoptolemus is to be buried at Delphi, where his tomb will serve as an opprobrium for the violent death that has been inflicted upon him; Andromache will marry Helenus, the brother of Hector, and will settle in Molossia, where her son and his descendants will be kings: Peleus will become immortal and live with Thetis forever in the house of Nereus, her father, Thetis releases Peleus from the suffering he is enduring over the death of Neoptelemus: he leaves for Delphi to organise the burial of his grandson before joining the goddess to take on immortality.
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Andromache - Euripides - Ancient Greece - Classical Literature
Greek Versions
The Andromache of Euripides, with brief Engl. notes by F.A. Paley (1885 edition) - Open Library
The Andromache of Euripides, with brief Engl. notes by F.A. Paley - Euripides - Google Books
Loeb Classical Library LCL 484 Euripides II: Children of Heracles, Hippolytus, Andromache p. 267-), Hecuba
https://archive.org/details/childrenofheracl00euri/mode/1up Edited and Translated by David Kovacs
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The Andromache of Euripides: Edited by Gilbert Norwood - Internet Archive
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The Internet Classics Archive | Andromache by Euripides Translated by E. P. Coleridge
Hecuba ; The Trojan women ; Andromache : Euripides - Internet Archive
[Andromache: A Play in Three Acts translated by Gilbert Murray - Project Gutenberg]
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Euripides III (1958 edition) - Open Library Translated by J.F. Nims (edited by Grene and Lattimore)
Euripides (c.480–c.406 BC) - Andromache: Translated by George Theodoridis
Audio/Visual
Ancient Greek theater performance: Andromache, Euripides, Loutraki, tragedy https://youtu.be/ixyVHvjXcxc
Andromache, Euripides [Excerpts] https://youtu.be/FK5csCWlVfo
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