Teaching Agamemnon

Instructions for You

Objective: Poor Iphigenia. As if it's not bad enough being killed off early into the play, Agamemnon's daughter doesn't even make it onto the stage to hang out with the leading players. We know who Aeschylus' least favorite character was; at least Agamemnon gets some stage time before being killed off at the close.

In this 60-minute activity, your students will prepare a short dramatic sketch in which Agamemnon discusses whether or not to sacrifice his daughter with his people. It'll be all about whether the titular character should do as the gods demand…or tell them where to shove it, because family comes first. You can get this activity going when Calchas drops the bombshell revelation, but before the students learn what Agamemnon decides to do.

Materials Needed: Steve Addis' TED Talk "A Father-Daughter Bond," a copy of the text, and/or Shmoop's handy summary page

Step 1: Kick things off by showing them Steve Addis' TED Talk "A Father-Daughter Bond." The title gets right to the heart of things in this activity which is about, you guessed it, the father-daughter relationship.

Have your students watch the clip and then split into groups of four. They should take five minutes to jot down some responses to the following questions:

• Why does Addis take a photograph with his daughter in New York every year?
• How do the photographs allow Addis to consider his daughter's worldview?
• How does the ritual of taking photographs enhance Addis' relationship with his daughter?

One student can take the lead in sharing their group's answers with the rest of the class; a brief class discussion can follow if students have further ideas.

This activity is designed to get the students thinking about a successful father-daughter relationship: this can really only come about if the father considers his daughter's viewpoint, rather than only thinking about himself. This is what Agamemnon should do, rather than listening to the gods every time they come calling.

Step 2: Next, in their groups they're going to stage a short dramatic piece where Agamemnon deliberates about whether to sacrifice Iphigenia when Calchas drops the bombshell that Artemis wants something in return for safe passage.

One student will play Agamemnon, another Calchas, with the remaining students taking the role of two advisors to the king. This activity should take place before we find out what the king opts to do. This means they'll have to decide how each character argues about the sacrifice, and the ideas they use to do so. Here's a basic outline of each character's viewpoint:

• Calchas is making his case, a.k.a. that Artemis is expecting a sacrifice.
• Agamemnon is wondering what to do.
• One advisor will suggest that a sacrifice is necessary.
• Another advisor will argue that Iphigenia shouldn't be killed.

Each student must include reference to the text and plausible reasons for his or her viewpoint. For example, the advisor arguing against sacrifice may remind everyone that the whole point of the war is to save Menelaus' wife, so it doesn't really make sense to go killing other family members in the process.

Here are some extra guidelines for the students:

• The piece should be four minutes in length—that means the script should include about 200 words.
• There must be detailed reference to the text.
• They should include at least three quotes from the text.
• All group members must contribute in both writing and performing.

The students have 25 minutes to prepare their sketch. One student can take the lead as director, giving the others specific roles. Then everyone can sit down and discuss how the piece will play out, and whether Iphigenia lives to see another day.

Step 3: The groups can perform their pieces when everyone's finished putting them together.

Step 4: After each performance, you can choose two to three audience members to briefly discuss which character's argument was most convincing. They should give reasons for their decision, while also referring to the text.

Step 5: Get the class to read on and learn what Agamemnon decided to do. They can then write a short 200-word diary entry for homework, as Agamemnon, explaining why he's going to have to kill Iphigenia (what a buzzkill).

The students should include textual reference to support his argument, crappy as it is.

Instructions for Your Students

Poor Iphigenia. As if it's not bad enough being killed off early into the play, Agamemnon's daughter doesn't even make it onto the stage to hang out with the leading players. We know who Aeschylus' least favorite character was: at least Agamemnon gets some stage time before being killed off at the close.

Today you're going to prepare a short dramatic sketch, in which Agamemnon discusses whether or not to sacrifice his daughter with his people. It'll be all about whether the titular character should do as the gods demand…or tell them where to shove it, because family comes first. You'll get this activity going when Calchas drops the bombshell revelation.

Step 1: Kick things off by watching Steve Addis' TED Talk "A Father-Daughter Bond." The title gets right to the heart of things in this activity which is about, you guessed it, the father-daughter relationship.

When you're finished watching the clip, split into groups of four. Take five minutes to jot down some responses to the following questions:

• Why does Addis take a photograph with his daughter in New York every year?
• How do the photographs allow Addis to consider his daughter's worldview?
• How does the ritual of taking photographs enhance Addis' relationship with his daughter?

One student can take the lead in sharing their group's answers with the rest of the class; a brief class discussion can follow if you have further ideas.

This activity is designed to get you thinking about a successful father-daughter relationship: this can really only come about if the father considers his daughter's viewpoint, rather than only thinking about himself. This is what Agamemnon should do, rather than listening to the gods every time they come calling.

Step 2: Next, you're going to stage a short dramatic piece where Agamemnon deliberates whether to sacrifice Iphigenia when Calchas drops the bombshell that Artemis wants something in return for safe passage.

One student should play Agamemnon, another Calchas, with the remaining students taking the role of two advisors to the king. This activity should take place before we find out what the king opts to do. This means you'll have to decide how each character argues about the sacrifice, and the ideas they use to do so. Here's a basic outline of each character's viewpoint:

• Calchas is making his case, a.k.a. that Artemis is expecting a sacrifice.
• Agamemnon is wondering what to do.
• One advisor will suggest that a sacrifice is necessary.
• Another advisor will argue that Iphigenia shouldn't be killed.

Each student must include reference to the text and plausible reasons for his or her viewpoint. For example, the advisor arguing against sacrifice may remind everyone that the whole point of the war is to save Menelaus' wife, so it doesn't really make sense to go killing other family members in the process.

Here are some extra guidelines:

• The piece should be four minutes in length—that means the script should include about 200 words.
• There must be detailed reference to the text.
• You should include at least three quotes from the text.
• All group members must contribute in both writing and performing.

You have 25 minutes to prepare your sketch. One student can take the lead as director, giving the others specific roles. Then everyone can sit down and discuss how the piece will play out, a.k.a whether Iphigenia lives to see another day.

Step 3: All of the groups can perform their pieces when everyone's finished putting them together.

Step 4: After each performance, your teacher will choose two to three audience members to briefly discuss which character's argument was most convincing. They should give reasons for their decision, while also referring to the text.

Step 5: Read on and learn what Agamemnon decided to do.

You'll then write a short 200-word diary entry for homework, as Agamemnon, explaining your decision.

You should include textual reference to support his argument.