Ion Monologue from the play by Euripides Essay Example For Students

Ion Monologue from the play by Euripides Essay A monologue from the play by Euripides NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Plays of Euripides in English, vol. ii. Trans. Shelley Dean Milman. London: J.M. Dent Sons, 1922. ION: Things at a distance wear not the same semblance As when on them we fix a closer view. I certainly with gratitude embrace My better fortunes, having found in you A father. But whence rose my anxious thoughts Now hear: in Athens, I am told, a native Is deemed a glorious name, not so the race Of aliens. I its gates shall enter laden With these two evils; from a foreign sire Descended, and myself a spurious child. Branded with this reproach, doomed to continue In base obscurity, I shall be called A man of no account: but if intruding Into the highest stations in the city, I aim at being great, I shall incur Hate from the vulgar, for superior power Is to the people odious; but the friends Of virtue, they whose elevated souls With real wisdom are endued, observe A modest silence, nor with eager haste Rush into public business; such as these Will laugh and brand me with an idiot\s name, For not remaining quiet in a land Which with tumultuous outrages abounds. Again, will those of a distinguished rank Who at the helm preside, when I attempt To raise myself to honour, be most wary How on an alien they their votes confer, For thus, my sire, \tis ever wont to be; They who possess authority and rank Loathe their competitors. But when I come, Unwelcome stranger, to a foreign house And to the childless matronpartner once In your calamity, of all her hopes Now reftwith bitter anguish will she feel In private this misfortune: by what means Can I escape her hatred, at your footstool When I am seated, but she, still remaining A childless consort, with malignant eyes The object of your tenderness beholds? Then or, betraying me, will you regard Your wife: or by th\ esteem for me exprest, A dire confusion in your palace cause. For men, by female subtlety, how oft Have poisons been invented to destroy; Yet is my pity to your consort due, Childless and hastening to the vale of years; Sprung from heroic sires she ill deserves To pine through want of issue. But the face Of empire whom we foolishly commend Is fair indeed, though in her mansions Grief Hath fixed her loathed abode. For who is happy, Who fortunate, when his whole life is spent In circumspection and in anxious fears? Rather would I in an ignoble state Live blest, than be a monarch who delights In evil friends, and hates the good, still fearing The stroke of death. Perhaps you will reply That gold can all these obstacles surmount, And to grow rich is sweet. I would not hear Tumultuous sounds, or grievous toils endure, Because these hands my treasures still retain. May I possess an humbler rank exempt From sorrow! O my sire, let me describe The blessings I have here enjoyed; first ease, To man most grateful; by the busy crowd I seldom was molested, from my path No villain drove me: not to be endured Is this, when we to base competitors Are forced to yield pre-eminence. I prayed Fervently to the gods, or ministered To mortals, and with those who did rejoice I never grieved. Some strangers I dismissed, But others came. Hence a new object still Did I remain, and each new votary please. What men are bound to wish for, even they Who with reluctance practise what they ought, The laws conspired to aid my natural bent, And in the sight of Phoebus made me just. These things maturely weighing in my breast, I deem my situation here exceeds What Athens can bestow. Allow me then The privilege of living to myself: For \tis an equal blessing, or to taste The splendid gifts of fortune with delight, Or in an humbler station rest content. .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .postImageUrl , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:hover , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:visited , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:active { border:0!important; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:active , .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8 .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub65d58313efe557fa8d23bd9fb31d1c8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: What role will poetry play in Essay