Supplices

Acts

• 0
  Act 0

  The complete text of Supplices. Fifty daughters of Danaus flee Egypt to escape forced marriage to their cousins. They demand asylum from the king of Argos.

  39 lines
• Parodos

  The fifty daughters of Danaus arrive at Argos as refugees, fleeing forced marriage to their Egyptian cousins. They carry olive branches and beg for sanctuary.

  Not yet imported
• First Episode

  Danaus counsels his daughters to appeal to the Argive king. They take refuge at an altar on the shore.

  Not yet imported
• First Stasimon

  The chorus invokes Zeus as their ancestor — Io, the Argive maiden loved by Zeus, is their foremother. They claim kinship with Argos.

  Not yet imported
• King Pelasgus

  Pelasgus, king of Argos, arrives and questions the women. He is torn between compassion and the political danger of sheltering them against Egypt.

  Not yet imported
• The Supplication

  The Danaids press their claim as suppliants. If Pelasgus refuses, they threaten to hang themselves from the statues of the gods — polluting Argos with their blood.

  90 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The chorus prays to Zeus for protection and reflects on Io's wanderings, drawing a parallel between her suffering and their own flight from violence.

  Not yet imported
• Pelasgus's Decision

  Pelasgus decides he cannot act alone — the people of Argos must vote. He goes to put the matter before the assembly.

  76 lines
• Third Stasimon

  The chorus waits anxiously for the assembly's decision, singing of the justice of their cause and the horror of the marriage they flee.

  5 lines
• Danaus Returns

  Danaus brings word: the Argive assembly has voted unanimously to protect the Danaids. The city will go to war rather than surrender suppliants.

  80 lines
• Fourth Stasimon

  The chorus sings a hymn of gratitude to Argos and its people. They bless the city and pray for its prosperity.

  Not yet imported
• The Egyptian Herald

  An Egyptian herald arrives and attempts to drag the women from the altar by force. He threatens war if they are not surrendered.

  24 lines
• Fifth Stasimon

  The chorus cries out in terror as the herald seizes them. Their screams bring Pelasgus running.

  Not yet imported
• Pelasgus Confronts the Herald

  Pelasgus faces down the Egyptian herald and asserts Argos's sovereignty. The herald withdraws with threats of war.

  48 lines
• Sixth Stasimon

  The chorus reflects on the violence of their pursuers and the protection they have found. But war is now inevitable.

  18 lines
• Danaus's Warning

  Danaus warns his daughters about the dangers ahead and counsels them to remain virtuous. Even in Argos, they are not fully safe.

  58 lines
• Seventh Stasimon

  The chorus prays for divine protection and sings of their determination never to submit to the forced marriage.

  52 lines
• The Chorus Divides

  A secondary chorus argues that Aphrodite should not be scorned — love and marriage are not inherently evil.

  56 lines