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Euripides

Cyclops

drama

The only surviving satyr play besides Sophocles' Ichneutae. Odysseus and his men are trapped in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. Silenus and the satyrs — enslaved by the monster — are supposed to help, but mostly look after themselves.

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Acts

  • Prologue

    Silenus explains their situation: shipwrecked on Sicily, enslaved by the Cyclops Polyphemus.

    40 lines
  • Parodos

    The satyr chorus herds the sheep, singing of their captivity.

    46 lines
  • Odysseus Arrives

    Odysseus and his men land needing provisions. Silenus trades them food and wine.

    278 lines
  • First Stasimon

    The satyrs comment on the horror of Polyphemus eating two of Odysseus's men.

    25 lines
  • The Wine Plan

    Odysseus plies Polyphemus with wine. The Cyclops asks his name: "Nobody."

    108 lines
  • The Blinding

    Odysseus and the satyrs heat the stake and blind the drunken Cyclops.

    35 lines
  • Exodos

    The blinded Polyphemus stumbles about. Odysseus reveals his true name and escapes with the satyrs.

    212 lines
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