Seven Against Thebes

Summary

The tragedy «Seven Against Thebes» by Aeschylus narrates the conflict between two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus, who vie for power over Thebes. After Polynices is exiled from Thebes, he gathers an army of seven leaders to reclaim the throne. Each of the seven warriors attacks one of the city's seven gates. Eteocles, defending Thebes, assigns his warriors to guard each gate. In the climax, the brothers fight each other and perish in the duel. The tragedy concludes with the Thebans deciding to honor Eteocles with a burial, while leaving Polynices' body unburied, highlighting the theme of civil war and fratricide.

Main Ideas

• Conflict between duty and personal feelings: the heroes face a choice between defending their native city and personal ambitions.
• Theme of fate and inevitability: fate plays a crucial role in the unfolding events, showing how predestination affects the characters' lives.
• Brotherly feud: the confrontation between Eteocles and Polynices, leading to tragic consequences.
• Heroism and self-sacrifice: characters demonstrate a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the common good and the city's defense.
• Role of gods and religion: gods influence events and characters' decisions, emphasizing the importance of religious rituals and faith.
• Political and military strategy: description of the siege of Thebes and tactics used to defend the city.
• Moral and ethical dilemmas: characters face difficult choices that challenge their moral principles.

Historical Context and Significance

«Seven Against Thebes» is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, written in 467 BC. It is part of a trilogy dedicated to the myth of the curse of the House of Labdacus, to which King Oedipus belonged. The play tells the story of the conflict between Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynices, for power over Thebes. The historical significance of this tragedy lies in its exploration of themes such as fate, family curses, and civil war, which were relevant to ancient Greek society. Its cultural impact is evident as the play became an important part of the classical repertoire and influenced the subsequent development of the tragic genre. It also inspired many authors to create works exploring the conflict between personal ambitions and public duty.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Eteocles — King of Thebes, son of Oedipus, who strives to protect his city from the attack of the seven leaders. He shows determination and courage, but his fate is sealed by his father's curse.
• Polynices — Eteocles' brother, who returns with an army to seize Thebes. His conflict with his brother leads to a tragic outcome.
• Antigone — sister of Eteocles and Polynices, who appears at the end of the tragedy, mourning her brothers and expressing a desire to bury Polynices despite the prohibition.
• Amphiaraus — one of the seven leaders, a prophet who knows of his inevitable death but goes to war, submitting to fate.
• Tydeus — one of the seven leaders, known for his fury and belligerence, who seeks glory in battle.
• Capaneus — one of the seven leaders, who boasts that even Zeus cannot stop him, but perishes from a lightning strike.
• Eteocles and Polynices — their conflict and mutual hatred are central to the tragedy, leading to their demise and the destruction of their family.

Style and Technique

«Seven Against Thebes» is a tragedy by Aeschylus, distinguished by its dramatic and intense style. The language of the work is rich with metaphors and symbolism, giving the text depth and complexity. Aeschylus employs choral parts that play a significant role in the plot's development and the expression of collective emotions. The structure of the tragedy is classical, with a clear division into prologue, parodos, episodes, and exodus. The focus is on the conflict between personal valor and fate, emphasized through the characters' dialogues and monologues. Literary devices such as antithesis and allegory help to explore themes of war, honor, and family ties. Aeschylus masterfully creates an atmosphere of inevitability and tragedy, making the work powerful and emotionally rich.

Interesting Facts

• «Seven Against Thebes» is part of a trilogy that also included the lost tragedies «Laius» and «Oedipus».
• The tragedy is based on the myth of the curse of the House of Labdacus and the conflict between Oedipus' sons — Eteocles and Polynices.
• In this tragedy, Aeschylus pays great attention to the description of the crests and symbols on the shields of the seven leaders, highlighting their individuality and character.
• The theme of fate and the inevitability of the curse is central to the work, reflecting Greek notions of predestination.
• The tragedy ends with the death of both brothers, symbolizing the destructive power of family conflicts and hatred.

Book Review

The tragedy «Seven Against Thebes» by Aeschylus is a vivid example of ancient Greek drama, intertwining themes of fate, family conflicts, and patriotism. Critics note that Aeschylus masterfully uses choral parts to create a tense atmosphere and emphasize the emotional intensity of the events. The central conflict between brothers Eteocles and Polynices symbolizes the destructive power of hatred and ambition, leading to a tragic outcome. Aeschylus also explores the theme of a ruler's responsibility to his people, making the play relevant even in a modern context. Critics highly praise the dramatic structure and poetic language of the work, noting its influence on the subsequent development of the tragic genre.