Free Penelope and Ulysses by Zenovia Page B

all things
    and phases in life.
    Ulysses is older and is forgetful and neglectful
    in simple and complex things
    concerning the running of Ithaca.
    Therefore, he should be admired
    for seeking to serve you
    with sincerity and a moral conscience
    by telling you of his weakness.
    AGAMEMNON: I am surrounded by well-rehearsed actors.
    So what you are telling me is that your husband,
    a man that has made blood vows to me,
    is really mildly mad
    and that he has a moral fibre
    for speaking the truth to me?
    So you are going to protect your husband’s bad judgement
    and make him out to be an ethical man?
    Ulysses , an ethical man?
    Did I miss anything?
    ULYSSES: Allow my wife and son to leave so that we can speak as men.
    AGAMEMNON: Now this is deep for me, Ulysses.
    I don’t remember being anything else but a man.
    Sentimentality is wasted on me, Ulysses.
    Now let me tell you what I am going to do.
    I will tear your son limb from limb with those horses outside,
    and you will have two of him.
    Or will I give him to my men
    as I have told you before.
    There are men in my army that are especially fond of young boys.
    ULYSSES: Stop, Agamemnon! Stop!
    AGAMEMNON: No, Ulysses.
    You have taken me this far
    and now I will take you further than you want to go.
    I will take you and your family into brutality and hell.
    ULYSSES: I have served you and have assisted you
    in your accumulation of wealth and power.
    I have been stained by the same enemies’ blood.
    I have fought side by side with you.
    We have saved each other’s lives in many war struggles.
    AGAMEMNON: I have told you before that I can go further into hell.
    I think you stop at the gate.
    I come from there and live there,
    and will bring this hell to your wife and son.
    I will finish what you cannot.
    You should have not started this clever madness with me.
    You should not have tested my patience and
    blood vows that I have taken with you in the past.
    You will stand quietly while I tell you
    what I will do with your wife,
    the one that you want to stay with.
    You will not interrupt me again
    while I take you into this the great suffering
    that involves your son’s and wife’s destiny at my hands,
    at my men’s hands.
    I will consume her physically—and you know I am carnivorous—
    burn your lands,
    kill your servants and villagers.
    My men can get some practice on your kindred:
    they are a little restless.
    I will not kill you.
    I will make you watch.
    I will have you tied to the bed.
    After I have violently consumed your wife
    and she has surrendered to me,
    I will hand what is left of her to my men
    who have not seen a woman for some time.
    And the last man who has her
    will decide what her fate will be.
    Maybe she will be returned to me—
    but I do not feed on the meat
    that other men have fornicated on and have eaten from. [ He goes over to Penelope and puts his hand on her groin. ]
    PENELOPE: I would rather die!
    AGAMEMNON: But you will!
    But not before giving pleasure to me and to many other men.
    And you, Ulysses, will be tied to the bed.
    You will watch it all!
    And after we have finished
    and burned everything,
    you will come with me to Troy,
    and you will advise me on matters of war.
    ULYSSES: Why would I come with you after you have killed everyone I love?
    AGAMEMNON: Thank you, Ulysses.
    See how intelligent your wits are?
    You are right.
    Why would you come
    if you have nothing to live for?
    So I’ll tell you what I will do instead.
    We will take Penelope with us to Troy and we will all share her.
    We will also take your son,
    so the men in my army who are fond of young boys
    can share him.
    That way they are alive and you will be useful to me.
    Does this please you more?
    ULYSSES: I will come with you and I will serve you as I did before.
    Let my wife and son go, I beg you.
    AGAMEMNON: It is not enough that you just come with me.
    I want you to be involved in this war with a full heart.
    That is the only way you will be useful
    to me and my men.
    If you do