Sophocles

Sophocles, one of the most influential writers of Ancient Greece

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"A short saying often contains much wisdom. "

Sophocles

Sophocles Mission

Interesting Facts

Sophocles Quotes

Ajax

After finishing this slaughter he comes back to his senses and realizes what he has done. He decides to go out to purify himself and also to bury the sword, he had from Hector. Although, his wife Tecmessa begs him not to live her and their child alone and unprotected, he still leaves. After he has gone, a messenger brings a warning from seer Calchas.
According to the seer, Ajax will die, if he leaves his house that day. Tecmessa and some soldiers go to find him, but they track him after he commits suicide. Before his suicide, Ajax calls for vengeance against the whole Greek army and the sons of Atreus, Menelaus and Agamemnon.

The last subject of the play is a familiar theme for Sophocles’ work, also found in Antigone – is an enemy to be buried with proper ritual. Menelaus and Agamemnon demand that Ajax ‘s corps is not to be buried, while Ajax’s half brother Teucer intends on burying him Odysseus, Ajax's enemy, persuades Menelaus and Agamemnon to allow Ajax a proper funeral.
The last lines of the play show Teucer making arrangements for his brother’s funeral.

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