The Victory Shall Be Justice! (Athena)

Monologue Title: “The Victory Shall Be Justice!”
From the Play: No More Trojan Wennen
Genre: Drama
Author: Justy DeForest
Character: Athena, Olympian Godde of Wisdom

Setting: Above the ramparts of the ruined palace of Ancient Troy

Background: After the defeat of the Trojan Army, the Commander of Greek Forces, Agamemnon, decides to slaughter the remaining Trojan Wennen if they resist being carried off to Greece as slaves. In this monologue, Athena, Patron Godde of the Greeks, assures Apollo, Patron of the Trojans, that the Greeks shall pay for their war crimes against the Trojan Wennen.

NOTE: In presenting this monologue, no actor other than the one playing ATHENA need be present on stage.

ATHENA

Father Zeus agrees with you, Phoebus.
The Greeks will pay for their war crimes against the Trojans, but…
He has left their punishment to me.
You would strike with the swiftness of Hermes
and smite every Greek with the light bolt of Zeus.
Of course, you believe that is what they deserve!
Oh, Apollo, one who cannot think reasonably cannot act wisely. — You are too close to those who have been wronged.

I, too, heard Agamemnon’s ultimatum yesterday.
What did you expect him to say?
The Greeks sail for home tomorrow.
Did you really think that he would willing leave
the rest of the Trojan Wennen behind because a
seventy-year old widowed queen refuses to surrender them?
The Greeks have many admirable qualities,
but their treatment of femeles is not among them.
Honestly, there have been times
when I have felt like smiting these men, myself!
Someday, Bright One, if your reason rises anywhere
near the level of wisdom, you will understand why I do not.

(She looks over the battlefield to the Greek camp and sighs.)

Oh Agamemnon! Agamemnon!
Your scorpion venom is deadly, indeed.
Your downfall, —
to assume there is but one scorpion in the sands!

Trust me, Apollo. Before the sun sets on this day,
it will be the Trojans who pronounce ultimatums.
The Victory Shall Be Justice!