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The Player's Monologue: Priam's Slaughter

Last updated over 2 years ago

9 questions

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10

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10

Question 1

1.

'Anon he finds him Striking too short at Greeks; his antique sword, Rebellious to his arm, lies where it falls, Repugnant to command: unequal match'd, Pyrrhus at Priam drives; in rage strikes wide; But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword The unnerved father falls.

"He" is Pyrrhus. "Him" is King Priam.

Question 2

2.

Then senseless Ilium, Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crash Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear: for, lo! his sword, Which was declining on the milky head Of reverend Priam, seem'd i' the air to stick:

Subject: Ilium; Verb: Takes prisoner; Object: Pyrrhus' ear.

Question 3

3.

So, as a painted tyrant, Pyrrhus stood, And like a neutral to his will and matter, Did nothing.

Question 4

4.

But, as we often see, against some storm, A silence in the heavens, the rack stand still, The bold winds speechless and the orb below As hush as death, anon the dreadful thunder Doth rend the region, so, after Pyrrhus' pause, Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work;

Question 5

5.

And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall On Mars's armour forged for proof eterne With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword Now falls on Priam.

Comparing Pyrrhus' chopping to Cyclops' hammering

Question 6

6.

Out, out, thou strumpet, Fortune! All you gods, In general synod 'take away her power; Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel, And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven, As low as to the fiends!'

That prostitute Lady Luck and her dastardly wheel!

Question 7

7.

'But who, O, who had seen the mobled queen--''Run barefoot up and down, threatening the flames With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe, About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins, A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;

clout: rag/cloth diadem: crown

Question 8

8.

Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steep'd, 'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounced:

Question 9

9.

But if the gods themselves did see her then When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs, The instant burst of clamour that she made, Unless things mortal move them not at all, Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven, And passion in the gods.'