Sophocles’ tragedy Aias, written between 450 and 440 BC, deals with the psychological turmoil and eventual downfall of the eponymous hero, Hades the Great. The play, the earliest of Sophocles’ surviving works, is an exploration of the themes of honor, pride, and the consequences of hubris in the context of the Trojan War epic.
Aias, the formidable leader from Salamis, experiences deep betrayal and humiliation that lead him down a path of madness and ultimately to his untimely death. The play begins against the backdrop of a crucial event of the Trojan War: the contest for the armor of the fallen hero Achilles. Aias, who sees himself as the rightful heir to these glorious weapons because of his extraordinary bravery and service in war, is enraged when the armor is awarded instead to Odysseus, through the machinations of Atreides, Agamemnon, and Menelaus . Feeling completely dishonored and seething with anger, Aias vows revenge on the Greek leaders and Odysseus.
Ajax
“But a man must live with honor
or die with honor. This is”.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war and in this particular tragedy and intrigue, intervenes at this critical juncture. He diverts Aedas’s rage by clouding his mind, making him believe that herds of sheep and cattle are his targets. In his delusional state, Aias slaughters these animals, convinced that he is taking revenge on his enemies. This heinous act is both a moment of dark humor and a chilling prelude to the tragedy’s central themes.
When Aias comes to his senses and realizes the extent of his folly, he is overcome with shame and self-loathing. His honor, the most precious aspect of his identity, lies in ruins. This sense of dishonor is unbearable for Aedes, a warrior whose life was defined by his valor and fame. His despair is poignantly captured in his interactions with his wife, Tecmessa, and his half-brother, Teucros. Despite their sincere pleas and attempts to comfort him, Aias remains determined to end his life, seeing suicide as the only way out of his dishonor.
Aedes’ final moments are marked by a powerful soliloquy, where he reflects on his past glories and the inevitability of his fate. He prepares for his death with ritual calm, plunging his sword into the ground and falling upon himself. His suicide is a cruel and disappointing climax to his tragic arc, turning him from a respected hero into a symbol of the destructive potential of pride and the cruelty of fate.
The aftermath of Aedes’ death brings further conflict. Menelaus and Agamemnon, the leaders of the Greek forces, decide that Aedes’ body should be left unburied as punishment for his actions. This decision sparks a heated argument with Teucros, who passionately defends his brother’s right to an honorable burial. Tension is escalating, threatening to further divide the Greek camp.
In a surprising twist, Odysseus, the very man who was awarded Achilles’ armor, takes it upon himself to mediate the conflict. Despite their enmity, Odysseus recognizes the importance of honoring the dead and the possibility that Aedes’ fate will sow discord among the Greeks. His intervention is a testament to the complex interplay of honor, respect and pragmatic leadership. Odysseus convinces Agamemnon to allow the burial of Aedes, emphasizing the theme of reconciliation and the need to maintain unity among the Greek powers.
Agamemnon makes it clear:
” …why
it’s not the big ones, none of them
their backs are broad, standing
and more asphalt, but everywhere they come out first
those of sound mind…”
The play concludes with Aedes’ body being prepared for burial, as Teucros and the chorus reflect on the loss of a great warrior. The resolution of the conflict through Odysseus’ diplomacy highlights the timeless values of respect for the dead and the need for consensus in the midst of internal strife.
Odysseus: “for I see that we are nothing else, as long as we live, but ghosts and an airless shadow”
Sophocles’ Aias is a poignant exploration of the consequences of pride, the fragility of human honor, and the complexities of wartime leadership and loyalty. Through the tragic fall of Aedes, the play delves into the human psyche, demonstrating how the noblest of heroes can be brought low by their own flaws and the whims of fate.
In 2019, when the show “Aias” was staged for the first time at the Veaki theater, Giorgos Nanouris brought the audience up to the stage and brought down the protagonist and his co-protagonist, the painter, in the square of the theater.
However, as time passed and the show became more and more popular, it was impossible for the 30-40 seats that fit on the stage of the “Veaki” theater to cover the demand for the tickets that existed. So the spectators returned to the “natural” space and Michalis Sarantis took the stage again.
Giorgos Nanouris guides Michalis Sarantis to interpret all the roles and the painter Apostolos Handzaras to paint the heroes. The performance tells the story of Aedas, with the actor performing all nine roles and the painter conversing with him, creating vivid images and memories of the work, while the audience is with them on the theater stage. The translation was done by the poet Nikos A. Panagiotopoulos.
Michalis Sarantis spoke about his unique experience:
“In October 2019, together with the spectators on the stage, we told the story of Ayantas for the first time with Apostolis Handzaras. To be honest, I never imagined that from that day something would change forever in me in relation to work. The anguish and anxiety had turned into a creative estrus, an imperative to communicate the story in this particular way. I was convinced that it cannot be done otherwise. That is, for Apostolis to paint in real time images and faces of the work and for me to go in and out of role like a storyteller from another era with the difference that my involvement with each hero was huge and significant. Giorgos Nanouris who made – for my tastes at least – a really beautiful, moving and tasteful show, took a dream of ours and made it come true. And even now, five years later, he will help me every time essentially, like a “coach” who trusts his player blindly but knows that he always needs his help. There hasn’t been a show where we haven’t talked before and after.”
Giorgos Nanouri’s performance of “Aiades”, with Michalis Sarantis, is a creative testament to theatrical ingenuity and respect for ancient Greek tragedy. Sarantis’ portrayal of all nine roles in the play is a brilliant achievement, highlighting his extraordinary range and depth as an actor. His ability to seamlessly switch voices and physicality for each character breathes new life into the classic text, allowing the audience to fully engage with the nuances of Sophocles’ narrative.
What elevates this production even more is the dynamic presence of the painter Apostolos Hajaras, who shares the stage with Sarantis. As Sarantis brings the characters to life through his performance, Hajaras captures their essence in real time, painting vivid portraits that add a visual dimension to the unfolding drama. This interplay between live acting and painting creates a mesmerizing synergy, deepening the audience’s connection to the characters and their emotional journeys.
Nanouri’s direction is characterized by profound respect for the original text, while at the same time liberating it from the limits of its historical context. In doing so, it makes the timeless themes of honor, madness, and the human condition accessible to contemporary audiences. The minimalist set and costumes further remove any obstacles, focusing the viewer’s attention precisely on the raw human emotions and conflicts at the heart of the play.
The combination of Sarantis’ multi-faceted performance and Hajara’s artistic accompaniment, under the visionary direction of Nanouris, results in a production that is innovative and deeply moving. It is a testament to the timeless power of Greek tragedy and its ability to resonate through the ages. “Aias” directed by Nanouris is a reminder of the timeless importance of Sophocles’ work, brought to life with creativity, respect and inspiration. This show is not just a retelling of an ancient story – it is a creative interpretation of the play that speaks to the soul and mind of the modern viewer transcending time and space.
#Aias #Honor #life #death
