The Girl From Samos a Tragic Greek Play

Girl From Samos

Act III:

Just to give a background. This passage starts off with Demeas finding out some devastating information. He discovers that his mistress Chrysis' was holding a baby. Believing it to be Chrysis', and kept against his requests, he decides to kick her out. At that time, Moschion moves in and tries to convince him to keep the baby and then starts to push the question of marriage to his mistress. "Nay, wine is mixing and your wedding's going on Incense rises; and Hephaestus laps the victim with his flame" (Meander, 2010, p. 61)

However, before all of this would occur, there would be a great tragic incidence that would change the course of the play "In the midst of a fair voyage, a storm can suddenly appear from nowhere. . ." (Meander, 2010, p. 53 para 4) This quote is basically explaining that there was about to be a huge chaotic situation, in regards to the upcoming baby situation. Of course, there was a storm after finding out the truth about the child. Demeas appears to be happy that Moschion is willing to carry out his plan and they reach an agreement to have the wedding that very same day. However, in the course of arrangements, Demeas eavesdrops on Moschion's nurse saying that the child is Moschion's and watching Chrysis breastfeeding the child is adequate to persuade him that Moschion has had an affair with his concubine.

This statement involves Demeas consulting Parmenon in regards to the situation about the baby since it does not belong to him. However, his anger scares the servant into silence. After that, he is not able to get any kind of dependable information about the situation. The hostility of Demeas and the terror of Parmenon outcome in a misapprehension as Parmenon acknowledges the child is Moschion's nonetheless does not disclose that the mother is Plangon, and that Chrysis is merely nursing the baby. Demeas, not really wanting to put the blame on Moschion, turns and blames Chrysis of seducing him.

The passage also mentions how Demeas tries reason. This reasoning involved the idea that Moschion has vindicated himself of the guilt of sleeping with his father's mistress (which basically means that incest was done) by his keenness for the future marriage. However, Athenian viewers could barely have missed the references to Euripides' Hippolytos. Nor would the satirical overturns have escaped the Athenian audience (he sides with his son rather than his concubine, his son is in actual fact is the one that was doing all of the seducing.)

One of the main themes in this passage is deception. The deception was the part with the baby being used as a pawn in the scheme. Another theme in this passage is humiliation and it ties in with the key theme of being deceived. For example, when he confronts Chrysis there is a further mix-up as Demeas, craving to keep the scandal hush-hush, does not openly mention he believes she seduced Moschion, in its place he evicts her from his house for the reason that she held onto the baby.

"But Parmenon, I take it, surely does no wrong. She's found with child." But Parmenon is not to blame. "The little baby made its way into the house." (Meander, 2010, p. 183)

Another theme in the play was showing compassion or remorse. For instance, Nikeratos is the one that decided to take pity on Chrysis and then companions Chrysis into his house and takes an arbitrating role.

"My father now will come and he'll be begging me

To stay. But quite in vain he'll beg, that is, up to A certain point." (Meander, 2010, p. 187)

In modern terms, it could be said that it was more like an intervention. However, he, like Demeas, likewise just knows half of what is really going on. Then, he questions Moschion who notifies Nikeratos to mention that Demeas has kicked Chrysis out of the house, or tried to evict her with the baby. When this happens and he enthusiastically tries to move ahead the wedding plans in spite of the present disorder. Demeas comes on the scene and Nikeratos and Moschion both question him in regards to Chrysis. They both desire for her to be brought back to the house. As already mentioned, the theme of compassion was heavy in this scene. The characters were moved by concern for Chrysis. However, Demeas' unspoken assumption about Moschion and Chrysis having an affair causes him to become enraged yet again. However, all of it ties in to the main theme of deception which was talked about earlier.