'Iphigenie in Aulis' Summary

The play opens with the Greek army gathered at Aulis, waiting for favorable winds to sail to Troy. However, the goddess Artemis is angry with Agamemnon for killing a sacred deer in her forest. As punishment, she has sent a plague upon the Greek army and will only lift it if Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter, Iphigenia. Agamemnon is torn between his duty to his army and his love for his daughter. He eventually agrees to sacrifice Iphigenia, but only after a long and painful struggle. Iphigenia herself is a willing victim, believing that it is her duty to save her country. However, her mother, Clytemnestra, is horrified and vows to avenge her daughter's death. The play ends with the Greek army finally setting sail for Troy, but the future is uncertain. The sacrifice of Iphigenia has left a deep scar on the Greek soul, and it is clear that the war will not be without its costs.