Euripides' works belong to the classical period of the ancient literature, and he is famous for having left the traditions of ancient drama. His female character is almost always a suffering woman, and the main thing is the inner world of hers. The evolution of character is presented in Euripides’s works.
Iphigenia in Aulis tells the story of sacrifice of Iphigenia, the daughter of King Agamemnon. Events take place on the eve of the campaign against Troy. The Greek army, under the command of Agamemnon, is about to sail to Troy in order to return Helen abducted by Paris and avenge the insult inflicted on Greece. The Hellenic army gathered in the harbor of Aulis, but the ships cannot go to sea due to the established calm. Agamemnon turns to the soothsayer, who informs him that the gods will send fair winds if the leader sacrifices his daughter Iphigenia.
Already in the first scenes, Euripides reduces the high heroism of the myth and translates it into real, everyday relationships. His heroes are ordinary, obsessed with their earthly passions. The quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus proves it, though Menelaus accepts the arguments of Agamemnon and is ready to reconcile with his brother.
On the arrival of Iphigenia to the camp, Agamemnon is afraid of the wrath of the mob if he sends her back, but he also does not dare to reveal his plan. Iphigenia does not understand why her father is so sad. Finally, Agamemnon confesses to her why he called his daughter, and he, as a loving father, is tormented by doubts. Clytemnestra cannot accept that Agamemnon is ready to sacrifice their daughter for the sake of the success of the war against Troy. Achilles is in solidarity with Clytemnestra. He defends the girl, and compassion and feeling for her are born in his heart. Noble Achilles is outraged by the fact that his honest name was used as a bait to entice Iphigenia into a trap. He is ready to protect the girl and save her. But in the meantime, a rebellion is taking place in the troops, and warriors, tired of waiting, long to go to sea as soon as possible.
And here the situation is discharged by Iphigenia. She is ready to die in the name of Hellas. Her patriotic speech is one of the most exciting places in the tragedy. Iphigenia claims the supremacy of Greece based on freedom. Achilles tries to dissuade Iphigenia from this step, although he acknowledges the greatness of her act. She deserves the glory of Hellas. Achilles is ready to defend Iphigenia even at her death hour, but the girl is adamant. She says goodbye to her mother, saying that she is happy for Hellas, and asks not to mourn her. The tragedy ends with the messenger reporting that when the priest had already brought a knife over Iphigenia, Artemis took pity and replaced her with a doe, which they sacrificed on the altar. And Iphigenia was taken to the Crimea, to Tauris, where she was to become a priestess in the temple and become immortal among the gods.
At first glance, the idea of a tragedy is obvious - a person serves the state, gives the life for the homeland - the highest virtue. But everything is not so simple for Euripides: he makes it clear that this young life is priceless. And she is sacrificed not only to Hellas, but to the cunning calculations of Agamemnon, who strengthens his authority as the commander, and to the interests of Menelaus, concerned about the return of his unfaithful wife.
