Seven Against Thebes Summary
List of Characters (In order)
Eteocles: Current king of Thebes
Scout/Spy: Theban who gets insider information for Eteocles about what the army outside the gates of the city are doing
The Chorus: Made up from the ladies of Thebes
Herald
Ismene: Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, sister to Eteocles, Polynices and Atigone.
Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, sister to Eteocles, Polynices and Ismene.
An attack is coming …
The play opens with a large gathering of the citizens of Thebes. Eteocles enters the stage with his attendants.
Eteocles first addresses the citizens, encouraging all of them to protect their families, land and home since he (Eteocles) has heard from a seer that the greatest Argive attack is imminent. He knows that the enemy will attack soon because he has heard that such planning has been made during various night assemblies. And so, he instructs all the citizens to get their armour on and guard the walls, telling and them not to be afraid of what’s to come.
A Scout runs on stage and tells Eteocles that he has received reports about the army outside the walls. He claims that he is an eyewitness to their actions himself, explaining that seven warriors slaughtered a bull over a black shield and then, touching the blood with their hands, they swore an oath to Ares and Enyo that either they will level the city and sack Cadmus’ town (aka Thebes) by force or they will die trying. The Scout continues, saying that this information has not been delayed being brought to Eteocles. As soon as he saw the enemy army casting lots to decide which commander would attack which gate and lead his regiment in fighting, the Scout ran to inform the king. And so, the Scout advises that Eteocles quickly chooses the bravest men among them to go and protect the city gates before the enemy arrive. While they do that, he will stay on the lookout to keep everyone up to date. The Scout then exists the stage.
Eteocles calls up to the gods and asks Zeus to guard the city. After this, he exits the stage with the citizens.
The Chorus of Theban women now take their place on stage. They sing of their terror for Thebes, asking who of the gods will rescue them from this horrible situation? Should they fall in supplication at the feet of their ancestral gods’ statues? They ask Ares NOT to betray the land he has loved for so long, begging him to look upon the city which he once cherished in pity. Turning their attention to the rest of the gods, the Chorus ask for them to notice their dedication and prayer. They first call out to Zeus to ask if he could keep Thebes’ capture out of enemy hands. They then look to Athena, taking her to prove her saviour role of the city. Poseidon is next, with the Chorus praying that he grant them release from their deepest fears. Lastly, they call to Apollo and to Leto for their extra helping hand. Once they have addressed the gods, the Chorus say that they can hear the rattle of the chariots encircling the town. In one last bid for protection, the Chorus cry out to Hera and Artemis and ask them for guidance in where to go. Hearing the clang of bronze-bound shields at the gates, the Chorus beg the divine not to betray or abandon their city.
Eteocles hates women
Returning to the stage, Eteocles calls the Chorus “intolerable things” (that’s kind). He asks them if their song is truly the best way to save their city? After all, does falling in front of the images of gods actually helping the army? Don’t worry, dear reader, it gets better — Eteocles says that it’s because of this he hopes to never share his home with the female race, neither in time of struggle nor in pleasant prosperity. This is obviously because when things go well for a woman, her boldness is unbearable but when she is afraid, she is an even greater evil for home and city (my thoughts exactly, Eteocles). He tells them that their cries have now rattled the citizens, ruining their courage, and the enemy outside their gates has been strengthened by their behaviour. Eteocles goes on to say that if anyone fails to obey his authority, they will be sentenced to death by public stoning (lovely guy, lovely city). He ends by stating that it is for men to take care of business outside the house and NO ONE should let women make decrees on such matters — they should be kept inside as that is where they can do no harm! Duh!
The Chorus reply and say that they only cried out because the clattering of the chariots caused them fear.
Eteocles retorts “Has a helmsman ever found a way to safety by fleeing from the stern to the prow when his ship is foundering in high seas?” (what an a$$hat).
The Chorus ignore that and instead explain how they went to the gods after they heard of the enemy army. The scary noises outside prompted them to try and seek help wherever they could, and for them the most logical conclusion was to ask the gods to protect the city.
Eteocles says (something like) “ … Sure, yeah, that sounds great considering our fate is in their hands. However it is commonly said that gods of captured cities abandon them … so there’s that.”
In response, the Chorus express their hopes of not seeing the divine abandon Thebes. Eteocles advises the women not to be ill-advised when calling out to the gods. As you would expect, the Chorus rebuttal this point to say that the power of the gods is supreme and it will help even the most miserable of men. Ever the avid-debater, Eteocles now changes his stance to say that the Chorus shouldn’t make sacrifices to the gods NOT because of his pervious points, but because IT IS NOT A WOMAN’S JOB. He explains that it is a man’s duty to offer sacrifices to the gods whereas it is the women’s duty to be silent and to remain inside the house (you LITERALLY can not make this up).
The ladies of the Chorus remind Eteocles that they inhabit the city by the will of the gods and ask why he seems to resent their relying on the gods so much. Eteocles decides that it’s not that he hates them honouring the gods, but more so that they are not calm and are therefore panicking everyone else (… yes, dear reader, if you are confused, we all are. His inability to stay on topic? Shockingly predictable). The Chorus, again, stress that they came to the citadel of the gods out of fear when they heard the clashing of the enemy, and Eteocles tells them that they can be scared if they want to but if they could refrain from loud wailing, that would be great.
Anyways, the back and forth between the chorus and Eteocles continue until Eteocles just tells the Chorus to cut it out with the gods. He says that once the gods have heard the prayers, the Chorus should sing a victory song to keep the spirits up.
Eteocles himself makes a vow to the gods that if things go well and the city is saved, the citizens will sacrifice bulls and sheep in honour of the divine. He will take it upon himself to crown their temples with the spoils of the enemy’s spear-pierced garments and various other trophies. HILARIOUSLY, after he has done this he turns to the Chorus and is all “THAT’S HOW YOU PRAY TO THE GODS!!! NOT WITH YOUR USELESS PANTING!!!” (I literally hate this man). He then says that he will go station six men, with himself as the seventh, as champions to oppose the enemy at the seven exits in the wall. He then — thankfully! —exits the stage.
Planning for the fight
The Chorus are left alone on the stage. They take this chance to say that they still have fear and anxiety within them … and then immediately ask Zeus to rescue the city and the people within it. They ask the gods to hurl murderous destruction on the men outside their walls and make them throw away their weapons OR DIE.
Moving along, the Scout is then returning to the action from one side of the stage and Eteocles from the other.
The ladies of the Chorus end their song by saying that the Scout has come to tell them news from the army, and Eteocles is here just in time to hear the report.
Something you should know before we dive into this: with each of these mentions is a long description of the men and why they’re so great/formidable. I will not be going into such detail because I always aim to encourage you guys to read the text … so here is that moment. Something else you should know: the Chorus always wish the person well after the men are matched up in combat. I’m not going to include those as extra bullet points because this summary will end up being VERY repetitive. So just keep that in mind as we continue …
OKAY. The Scout tells everyone that Tydeus is already storming opposite the Proetid gates, but the seer will not allow him to guard the Ismenus because the omens from the sacrifices are not favourable. But he is still eager for battle. So the Scout asks Eteocles who he would send to fight against him? Eteocles decides to station the son of Astacus, Melanippus, against Tydeus. (This is when the Chorus chime in to say they wish this guy luck).
Then the Scout says that Capaneus is stationed at the Electran gates, and so Eteocles pits the mighty Polyphontes against him. Again, the Chorus wish him luck.
Outside the Neistan gates stands Eteoclus (NOT Eteocles, obviously), and Eteocles sends Megareus to go and fight him.
The Scout announces that the fourth gate sees Hoppmedon standing in front of it, and so Eteocles matches him with Hyperbius, Oenops’ son.
The fifth gate will be attacked by Parthenopaeus of Arcadia, so Eteocles sets up Actor against him.
The sixth gate will see Amphiaraus square up to it in battle, so Eteocles matches him with Lasthenes, the son of Oecles (and the seer!)
Lastly, of course we have Polynices. As you can expect, Eteocles will pop himself in front of his brother. To this pairing though, the Chorus question why Eteocles is so eager to fight Polynices and suggest that a savage desire possibly eats away at their king. He replies that his own father’s curse hovers before his eyes and (well okay so the literal greek is) “gain coming before death that comes later” as the curse whispers to him “slay him, then be slain yourself.” SO IT’S NOT TERRIBLY BRIGHT OVER HERE.
Anyways, the Chorus advise him not to do such a thing, assuring him that he is not a coward if he chooses to walk away. Eteocles claims that the gods already don’t like them and so it is his duty to lean into his deadly fate. Obviously, the Chorus say that although death stands close to him now, the winds may change in his favour.
Unfortunately for them, Eteocles, as we have seen, is incredibly stubborn. He says (something like) “We have a curse on our family — REMEMBER!!!” and the ladies of the Chorus reply “Hey now, you better listen to us women, even though you don’t like it! DO NOT go to the seventh gate!” There’s a long back and forth between Eteocles and the Chorus, but eventually Eteocles exits the stage to go to the seventh gate.
Explanation of the curse
The Chorus, now alone, sing of their terror for what’s happening. They explain the curse on the royal family, saying that it’s all because Laius acted in defiance of Apollo. Three times he was told that he could save his city if he died without offspring, and three times he did not listen. Even being told that his future son would bring about his own death, he did not listen. Even when he was told that his future son would marry his mother (Laius’ wife, Jocasta), he did not listen.
The ladies of the Chorus now fear that the city will be overthrown along with its kings. They say that once a deadly curse has come into existence, it does not merely fade away.
The song continues as they explain the life of Oedipus. After killing his father, Oedipus unknowingly married his mother. Once he understood the reality of his situation, he stabbed out his eyes. The Chorus fear that the Furies will bring this curse into the battle and everything in Thebes will be destroyed.
Resolution
On comes a Messenger to join the Chorus on stage.
The Messenger reports that the fighting is over and Thebes has escaped slavery. He confirms that all is well at six of the gates, but states that Apollo took hold of the seventh gate where the sons of Oedipus fought.
When the Chorus ask for clarification, the Messenger says that the city is saved and just the kings … (but he’s cut off before he finishes this sentence!) This is because the Chorus chime in to ask “Who? What did you say??” The Messenger, again, tries to say that the sons of Oedipus … but again he is cut off. The Chorus butt in to say that they are prophets of these evils, knowing that the seventh gate was a BAD IDEA but were they listened to? NO! And so, the Herald finally says that both Polynices and Eteocles were killed.
Before leaving the stage, the Messenger explains that the brothers were murdered by their own hands. He states that the pair killed one another at the same time, which sucks, but at least the city has been saved. With that, he leaves.
The Chorus then question if they’re supposed to jump for joy at the idea that the city has been saved, or lament for the kings deaths? However, they do express their anxiety for the city as divine decrees do not lose their edge.
As the Chorus sing, the funeral procession with the bodies of Polynices and Eteocles comes into view. The Chorus say that they can see Antigone and Ismene coming to lament their brothers. The Chorus’ song continues until the sisters arrive with the bodies onto the stage.
The sisters each stand next to their brothers — Antigone next to Polynices, Ismene next to Eteocles. They sing in a very particular way, each describing their emotions or the situation one short line at a time.
After a little while, the Chorus chime back in for a brief intrusion to say that the Furies are a mighty force.
The girls then continue to speak, saying that they pity the suffering of their brothers and feel grief looking at the desruction in front of them.
When this comes to an end, a Herald enters the stage. He comes on to say that it is his duty to announce the will and decrees of the council on behalf of the citizens. And so, he announces that Eteocles is to be buried (because of his great goodwill towards the city) but because Polynices marched against the city, his body is to be cast out of the city walls UNBURIED. He is to be refused honours of a funeral and must be left to be torn apart by the dogs.
I am sure we all know that Antigone is not having any of this (and if you didn’t … well, now you do). She says that if no one else is willing to bury her brother then she will have to do it herself. Antigone stresses that she is not ashamed to act in defiant opposition to the rulers of the city, demanding that no one decree it otherwise since this is what she wants to do in her heart.
… But of course, the Herald has something to say about that. Not a lot, to be fair, but he does FORBID IT.
Antigone says (something like) “Well I forbid YOU from making useless proclamations at me!” and the herald is all “Be careful, little girl — the citizens have endured enough and people in such position tend to be harsh.” At this, Antigone is FUMING. She retires (with something like) “THEN LET THEM! I’M NOT LEAVING MY BROTHER UNBURIED!”
The Herald is absolutely astonished by Antigone’s gall. He asks her how she could want to honour the man who the city detests, to which Antigone tells him that the gods have ceased to hold him in honour for a long time though he deserved it. The Herald retorts that she’s wrong and Polynices WAS honoured until he put his city and his land in jeopardy. Antigone stands by her brother, saying that the only reason Polynices acted in such an evil way is because he had suffered much evil in his life. The Herald says that she should remember that her brother did not act against one person, but an ENTIRE CITY(!!!), and Antigone basically tells him to shut up and says “I’M BURYING MY BROTHER AND THERE’S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!” Exhausted, the Herald says (something like) “WELL FINE — GO THROUGH WITH YOUR RASH PLAN BUT I STILL FORBID IT!!!” and then he exits the stage.
The Chorus then sing us out of the action. Luckily for us, they are also quite confused. They are unsure if burying Polynices is the correct or incorrect thing to do, given the circumstances. Coming up blank, the Chorus encourage the city to decide what to do because grief is shared by all people. After all, what the city says is “just” does change over time.
They all exit.
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Thumbnail Image: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/257407
Two terracotta roundels with theatrical masks
Greek 1st century BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 161
“A pair of terracotta roundels with theater masks.” (Copied from the Met Museum website.)