How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
(Athena): "I counsel the citizens to maintain with their respect what is neither anarchic nor despotic, and not to throw all fear outside the city—for who among mortal men is righteous if he fears nothing? If you go righteously in dread of such a revered body, you may have a bulwark to keep land and city safe such as none of mankind have, either among the Scythians or in Pelops' regions. Untouched by desires for gain, revered, quick to anger, the land's wakeful guardian of those asleep, this council I now establish." (696-706)
Here we find an even stronger statement from Athena showing that she agrees with the Furies that fear makes men righteous. Why do you think she thinks this? Does the play encourage us to accept this point of view? If so, are there limits on how much fear is a good thing, or is it no-holds-barred?
Quote #8
(Chorus of Furies): "You younger gods! The ancient laws—
you have ridden them down! You have taken them out of my hands for yourselves!
I am dishonoured, wretch that I am; my heavy rancour releases on this land—woe to it!—
a poison, a poison from my heart to requite my grief,
dripping from below the earth, intolerable. From this
a canker destroying leaves, destroying offspring—O Justice [Justice]!—
will sweep over and strike the land
with a blight killing men." (779-787)
How would you characterize the emotions of the Furies in these lines? We'd say they sound pretty fearful. Do you agree? This is pretty ironic, given that spreading fear is the name of their game. When it comes down to it, though, the Furies are just plain terrified that someone might take their job away from them.
Quote #9
(Athena): "You are not dishonoured—and do not from excessive anger blight the land of mortal men, goddesses that you are! I too have my trust—in Zeus; and what need I say? Besides, I alone of the gods know the keys of the house in which his lightning is sealed—but there is no need for it: be ready to let me persuade you, and do not throw out a wild tongue's threats against the land, for all things which bear crops to do badly. Lull the waves of your black anger in its bitter force to sleep, for you are to be honoured with awe, and be the sharer of my home. When you have the first-fruits of this great land for evermore, sacrifices made for children and for marriage's fulfillment, you will be grateful for my speech." (824-836)
Here we see Athena taking a more nuanced approach to the use of Fear in getting what she wants. The Fear part is slipped in casually, when she just happens to mention that, "I alone of the gods know the keys of the house in which [Zeus's] lightning is sealed." But then she follows that up by offering the Furies a lot of sweet stuff. This combination of threats and promises is a classic example of the "carrots and sticks" approach.