Trachiniae

Acts

• Prologue

  Deianira waits anxiously for Heracles, who has been away for over a year. She sends their son Hyllus to find him.

  93 lines
• Parodos

  The chorus of young women tries to comfort Deianira. Fortune turns — Zeus never abandons his son forever.

  33 lines
• First Episode

  A messenger brings news: Heracles is alive and victorious. He has sacked Oechalia and is sending his war-captives home.

  64 lines
• Lichas and Iole

  Heracles' herald arrives with captive women, including the beautiful princess Iole. Lichas conceals the truth about why the city was sacked.

  291 lines
• First Stasimon

  The chorus sings of Aphrodite's power and the combat between Heracles and the river god Achelous for Deianira's hand.

  29 lines
• Second Episode

  The truth comes out: Heracles sacked Oechalia for love of Iole. Deianira forms a desperate plan to win him back.

  102 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The chorus reflects on the power of love to destroy and the vulnerability even of the strongest.

  28 lines
• The Robe

  Deianira anoints a robe with what she believes is a love-charm — the blood of the centaur Nessus. She sends it to Heracles.

  158 lines
• Third Stasimon

  The chorus anticipates Heracles' return with hope and anxiety.

  35 lines
• The Discovery

  The wool Deianira used has dissolved in sunlight. She realises Nessus's blood is poison. She has destroyed Heracles.

  85 lines
• Fourth Stasimon

  The centaur's dying vengeance has worked across the years. Prophecy is fulfilled in the worst way.

  24 lines
• Hyllus Returns

  Hyllus describes Heracles' agony: the robe bonded to his flesh, burning, dissolving his skin. He accuses his mother of murder.

  33 lines
• Deianira's Death

  A messenger reports that Deianira has killed herself with a sword, in silence, on the marriage bed.

  32 lines
• Exodos

  Heracles is carried in, screaming. He learns the truth and recognises the oracle's fulfilment: he would be killed by no living creature — the centaur was already dead.

  235 lines