Page "Iphigenia" Paragraph 4

Euripides has two stories about Iphigenia.

In Euripides ’ Iphigenia at Aulis, Agamemnon is told by Calchas that in order for the winds to allow him to sail to Troy, Agamemnon must sacrifice Iphigenia to Artemis.

Agamemnon fools Clytemnestra into bringing Iphigenia to Aulis by sending a letter to Clytemnestra telling her that Iphigenia will be married to Achilles.

There is one moment in the play where Agamemnon regrets his decision and tries to send another letter telling them not to come, however Menelaus intercepts the letter.

After Agamemnon and Menelaus have an argument, Clytemnestra arrives at Aulis with Iphigenia and Orestes.

Agamemnon tries to convince Clytemnestra to go back to Argos while he marries Iphigenia to Achilles.

Clytemnestra refuses to leave and plans on marrying off her daughter the proper way.

When Clytemnestra sees Achilles she brings up the marriage, however Achilles doesn ’ t know what she is talking about and slowly the truth comes out about Agamemnon ’ s true plan.

Achilles vows to help prevent the murder of Iphigenia even after the Greeks throw stones at him.

After Iphigenia and Clytemnestra mourn together, Iphigenia makes the noble decision to die in honor and by her own will and asks Achilles not to stop the men.

When Iphigenia is brought to the altar to be slain she willingly allows herself to be sacrificed.

As Iphigenia is about to be slain a deer is put in her place.