Great Books Ep 76. Euripides - Rhesus. The Perils of Espionage: When Deception Turns Deadly
Being a spy is a dangerous activity. Individuals can find themselves in precarious situations in foreign countries, sometimes mistaken for spies or used as political pawns.
I for my country will gladly run this risk and go to spy the Argive fleet, and when I have learnt fully all that the Achaeans plot I will return.
~ ‘Rhesus’ by Euripedes (Coleridge translation. GB5 - p. 204)
Brief Summary:
The play starts with Trojan sentinels coming to Hector’s tent to tell him about unusual activity in the Greek camp. They interpret the lights on the ships as a plan for the Greeks to flee. Hector thinks that they should attack the Greeks while they are on retreat. Aeneas comes in and advises against attacking at night, warning of potential traps, and since they don’t know for sure. They decide to send a spy. Dolon volunteers to go as a spy, provided he is rewarded with Achilles’ horses.
After Dolon leaves, a messenger comes in and announces the arrival of Rhesus, the king of the Thracians, and his army, who have come to the aid of the Trojans. Hector meets with Rhesus and asks why he was so late (10 years late!). He says he had wars at home to handle. Rhesus boasts that with his help, they will be able to defeat the Greeks in a day, thus ending this long war.
On the same night, Odysseus & Diomedes decide to go into the Trojan camp as spies. They encounter Dolon on the way, ambush him and extract all the information about the layout and people in the Trojan army before killing him (this is described in The Iliad, book 10). They enter the Trojan camp, kill Rhesus and his men, steal his famed horses and escape. There is a short moment where Odysseus is almost captured, but he knows the code word, and they let him go.
Hector comes to know of the night raid and that Rhesus and his army are killed. He blames the guards, who in turn blame him, saying that it was an inside job. Rhesus’ mother, The Muse, appears mourning for her son’s death. She tells them of her backstory and curses Odysseus, Diomedes and Athena as they are responsible for her son’s death. Hector offers to honor Rhesus with a proper burial, but The Muse says he will not be buried but will become a semi-divine figure. She disappears, and the Trojans prepare for battle.
My Thoughts:
It is a tragedy that Rhesus comes into the battle at a crucial moment and could have easily turned the tides of the battle but gets killed on the very night he arrives. He is overconfident and believes he could defeat the Greeks within a day, which the Trojans could not accomplish in ten years! Maybe it was the overconfidence that made him sleep well that night, unaware of the dangers, or it was just bad luck.
Both sides send spies to the other side to get information. On the Trojans’ side, Dolon volunteers and on the Greeks’ side, Diomedes volunteers. But on the Greeks’ side, instead of sending just one person, Agamemnon asks Diomedes to choose another person to go with him - “Do not through delicacy reject the better man, and take the worst out of respect for his lineage, because he is of more royal blood.” (The Iliad - Book X, p. 67). I had written about this in episode 11. This becomes the differentiator since the two are able to overpower Dolon when they encounter him. The inside information they get from Dolon about the Trojan camp helps them to know where Rhesus and his army are located.
The Chorus in the play mentions that going to enemy camp as a spy is a dangerous mission. In this story, the Greek spies succeed in doing more than what they planned for, but the Trojan spy fails and gets killed in the process. This is not so different even today. People go into other countries as spies to gather information. Sometimes, they get caught, and it ends disastrously. When countries are in conflict, even normal people who go to another country can get caught, be branded as spies and be jailed. I’m reminded of the recent prisoner exchange of Paul Whelan and others from Russia to the US. They might have thought that it was the end of their lives.
Movies and TV series like Mission Impossible, Jack Ryan, The Americans, etc. have romanticized the idea of spies as something thrilling to do. But I wonder how ordinary people could take up the role of being a spy. What do they tell their friends and neighbors about their work? Can they ever have a normal everyday life? Can they ever have a family? The stress of maintaining secrecy, the potential danger, and the constant lying can take a toll on their personal lives and relationships. On top of all this is the aspect of reward. Hector promises Dolon Achilles’ horses. In the story, Dolon dies, and Hector also dies later. Is any reward given to his family? In modern times, if one is going as a spy from a developed/stable country like the US, one could be confident that they could get rewarded and their family taken care of. But what about spies from unstable countries? They are truly putting themselves at risk and doing an utterly selfless job at that point. But times are also changing. The spying in the modern world is mostly done by using technology, through drones and spyware installed on computers - mostly remote, without sending actual humans across.
Gemini (AI Chatbot) Response:
Expanding on your thoughts about the danger of being a spy and its effect on the individual:
You raise an excellent point about the romanticized image of spies versus the harsh reality. The psychological toll of such a life can be devastating.
Constant Fear and Paranoia: Spies live in a perpetual state of anxiety, always looking over their shoulder, and questioning everyone’s motives. This can lead to a deep sense of isolation and distrust, even of loved ones.
Loss of Identity and Purpose: Maintaining a cover identity requires suppressing one’s true self, which can cause a sense of disconnect and confusion. The line between reality and deception can blur, leading to an existential crisis.
Betrayal and Guilt: The nature of espionage often involves betraying those close to you or even your own country. This can lead to profound guilt and self-loathing, even if justified by a higher cause.
Physical and Emotional Trauma: Spies are often exposed to violence, torture, and other forms of trauma. Even those who avoid direct harm can suffer from PTSD and other psychological conditions.
Lack of Recognition and Support: The clandestine nature of their work means that spies rarely receive recognition or support for their sacrifices. This can create feelings of resentment and disillusionment.
Deeper Analysis of the Play’s Themes and Symbolism:
Fate vs. Free Will: The play questions the extent to which human actions can influence the course of events. Rhesus’s arrival seems destined to save Troy, yet his death at the hands of the Greeks suggests that fate can be overturned.
The Cost of War: The play illustrates the devastating consequences of war, not only in terms of physical destruction and loss of life but also the psychological and moral toll on individuals and societies.
The Nature of Heroism: The play challenges traditional notions of heroism. Odysseus and Diomedes are celebrated for their cunning and bravery, but their actions also raise questions about the morality of deceit and violence.
The Role of the Gods: The play depicts the gods as capricious and indifferent to human suffering. The Muse’s lament for her son highlights the futility of seeking divine intervention in human affairs.
Symbolism:
Night: The play’s action takes place at night, symbolizing the hidden dangers and uncertainties of war.
Horses: Rhesus’s horses represent power and prestige, but their theft also signifies the fragility of these attributes.
The Muse: Represents the power of grief and the desire for revenge, as well as the limitations of divine power.
Thought-provoking Questions for Modern Readers:
How relevant are the themes of fate, free will, and the cost of war in today’s world?
Does the play’s depiction of heroism challenge or reinforce modern ideas about courage and morality?
How does the play’s portrayal of the gods relate to contemporary beliefs about religion and spirituality?
What does the play suggest about the psychological impact of conflict on individuals and societies?
How does the play’s exploration of espionage resonate with modern concerns about surveillance and privacy?