Socrates and Hades: A Comedy About Death, Inspired by Agathon

By Mara Meimaridi

Dear reader, if you have ever wondered what happens to us when we pass away, then "Socrates and Hades" will provoke your thoughts. Set in Athens in 432 B.C., during the reign of Governor Pericles, the city is in high spirits. Hades, god of the Underworld, descends upon Athens, curious to discover how people truly feel about him. And who better t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mara Meimaridi
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798893421392

Book preview

MARA MEIMARIDI

A Comedy about Death

Inspired by Agathon

A theatre play

From the series ‘Great Glorious Greeks’

© Mara Meimaridi 2023

www.marameimaridi.gr

Tel: [phone]

Published by TASSO STUDIO

[e-mail]

www.tasso.studio

Cover: Tasso

Design & Layout: Tasso

ISBN: 979-8-89342-139-2

The republication or reproduction of this work in its entirety or parts thereof in any way, as well as its translation or adaptation or exploitation in any way of reproduction of a work of art or speech, is prohibited, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 2121/1993 and the Berne-Paris International Convention, ratified by Law No. 100/1975. It is also prohibited to reproduce the typesetting, pagination, cover and in general the whole aesthetic appearance of the book, by photocopying, electronic or any other methods, according to article 51 of Law 2121/1993.

Dedicated to the ancient poet, Agathon

The ancient poet Agathon

The play you are about to read belongs to a collection of texts that, over the centuries, have unfortunately been lost to time. However, we believe that if another comedy by Agathon, the renowned ancient poet, had survived, it would likely bear similarities to the one before you. Agathon was a celebrated figure in ancient Athens-an actor, poet, and tragedian. He was also a disciple of Socrates and earned mention in Plato’s work, Symposium. In Agathon’s home, Athenians would gather to indulge in their greatest pleasures: lively debates, profound analyses, and philosophical discussions that would extend late into the night, accompanied by wine and delectable food.

Agathon’s contributions to the dramatic arts were significant, particularly in transforming the role of the chorus. Prior to Agathon, the chorus would typically enter the stage, utter a few lines, and then exit. However, in the comedy you are about to experience, the chorus assumes an active role, actively participating in the action and engaging in dialogue with the actors. Just imagine how fascinating it would be if a medium could stand alongside the ancient author, observing as he skillfully etched his verses onto the scroll, bringing the poetry to life. But enough words have been spoken; it is now time to immerse ourselves in the play and relish the unfolding entertainment.

Summary of the play

Hades, god of the Underworld (Pluto), is engaged in a debate with Athena, the goddess of Wisdom, on Mount Olympus. They are arguing about whether people fear death or, by becoming wise, come to accept it. Concerned by the decline of his shrines and the lack of devotion from mortals, Hades decides to descend to Athens disguised as a sophist. His aim is to investigate people’s perceptions and attitudes towards him.

Meanwhile, in Athens, the army returns triumphantly from the Potidean campaign, where the philosopher Socrates had valiantly saved the life of the noble boy Alcibiades. The city prepares for grand celebrations of the victorious war but also for the upcoming marriage between Alcibiades and Hippareti, the daughter of the wealthy Hipponikos.

Hipponikos, a prosperous Athenian, harbors a deep fear of death. In preparation for his journey to the afterlife, he constructs an opulent tomb and amasses wealth, believing that he will be able to retrieve it in his new realm. Prior to departing this mortal world, he endeavors to secure a noble suitor for his daughter Hippareti. Xanthippe, a matchmaker, arranges for her to wed Alcibiades, a member of the illustrious Alcmeonides family. The wedding is planned with great pomp and circumstance.

Meanwhile, as Hades seeks answers to his own inquiries, he engages in conversations with Hipponikos and Socrates. One is fearful of death while the other is not. Concurrently, Hades encounters Hippareti and finds himself falling deeply in love with her.

In an intriguing twist, Hades presents Hipponikos with a gift-the opportunity to experience a rehearsal of death. Hipponikos will descend to Hades but return, with Socrates being the only one who can perceive and communicate with him. The unfolding events intertwine love, philosophical contemplation, and the exploration of mortality, culminating in a captivating tale.

Hipponikos, as a disembodied soul, wanders in various realms and shares his experiences with Socrates.

The day of the wedding arrives, but the groom, known in Athens for his infatuation with women, fails to show up as he is occupied with pursuing Aspasia, Pericles’ wife, in her private quarters. During the wedding ceremony, an insult directed at Alcibiades’ family ignites the groom’s rage, leading him to abruptly cancel the wedding in anger.

Eventually, the wedding proceeds with a different groom when Hades, the god of the Underworld, decides to marry Hippareti, and she accepts his proposal. However, when it is revealed that Hipponikos has passed away, Hippareti mistakenly believes that Hades is responsible for her father’s demise, refusing to accompany him to the Underworld despite his attempts to change her mind.

Alcibiades regrets his outburst and approaches Hippareti, seeking reconciliation, but she rejects him due to the dishonor he caused.

Hippareti resolves to return to Hades, declaring her love for him.

In the Agora, the Athenians find themselves divided into two factions, aligned with either Alcibiades or Pericles, as they engage in heated disputes over new taxes. Tensions reach a climax when a breathless messenger arrives to announce that the Spartan army is at the city gates!

Athena appears dressed in her warrior attire, prepared to lead her people in the imminent war between Athens and Sparta.

Confronted with this new threat, the Athenians find themselves united by an almost magical force, and even the typically silent philosopher Archelaus, now a centenarian, exclaims, Great Glorious Greeks!

And now, dear reader-spectator, sit back in your comfortable seat and prepare to immerse yourself in this theatrical performance!

Context:

Place: Ancient Athens

Time: 432 BC. We find ourselves in the Golden Age of Athens, under the rule of Pericles, a revered general and leader. The city of Athens wields significant power through the Athenian Alliance. Recent events include the victorious battle of Potidaea, where the Athenians crushed the rebellion against the Alliance. The Peloponnesian War has yet to erupt.

Characters of the play:

Socrates: The renowned Athenian philosopher.

Alcibiades: An Athenian general and aristocrat, known for his charm but infamous for his womanizing.

Xanthippe: The worn-out wife of Socrates, who is an authoritarian, high-strung, and jealous character.

Hipponikos: A wealthy Athenian plagued by a deep fear of death.

Hippareti: Daughter of Hipponikos, betrothed to Alcibiades.

Hades: The god of death and ruler of the Underworld (aka Pluto).

Athena: The goddess of Wisdom and War, worshipped at the Parthenon.

Skylosogos: A slave in the service of Hipponikos, whose name literally means ‘I come from a dog family.’

Zavlakas: Socrates’ servant.

Archelaus: Socrates’ aged teacher, a centenarian who remains perpetually silent. He appears thin and tattered, often gesturing angrily with a cane.

Chorus: Comprised of Athenian men and women.

Additional characters:

Socrates’ disciples: Cretias, Antisthenes, Aristippus of Cyrene, Isocrates, Xenophon, Simias of Thebes, Plato.

Veracles: First-born son of Hipponikos and his heir.

Pericles: The ruler of Athens.

Gypsy girl: A fortune teller.

Messenger

Stage set up:

On the left side of the stage, the magnificent house of Hipponikos, adorned with columns, statues, altars, vibrant colors, paintings, and luxurious furnishings.

On the right side, Socrates’ humble shack.

In the background, the Agora beneath the towering rock of the Acropolis, with the Parthenon.

As the lights fade, the play commences!

SCENE 1

Hades sits on a throne atop Mount Olympus, looking through a pair of binoculars. A beautiful male voice sings a song.

The goddess Athena (Hades’s niece, being the daughter of his brother Zeus) enters, carrying shopping items and fabrics, having come from Athens.

HADES (sings)

In the fires of the Underworld’s embrace,

Where Acheron’s dark waters interlace,

I wander through the shadows all alone,

Longing for a love that’s yet unknown.

Oh, melancholy life that I have led,

Without a soul to share my eternal bed,

I yearn to find a love that will ignite,

To be embraced and cherished every night.

But mortals fear my ominous domain,

They shudder at the mention of my name,

As Hades, the Olympian God of Death,

Unwanted, scorned, with every fleeting breath.

Oh, yearning for a love that eases my strife,

To find a heart that matches mine in life, in this abyss,

I seek a love that’s true,

To feel desired and cherished, just like you.

HADES: (Sits down.) Ahhh! (Sighs.) Let’s see what’s happening down there.

(Raises the binoculars and observes.)

ATHENA: (She enters joyfully, carrying gifts of veils and jars.) What do you see in the mortal world, my uncle Hades, god of the Underworld?

HADES: Another war has come to an end, Athena, the one in Potidaea.

ATHENA: I’m aware! It was a fierce battle between Greeks and barbarians. Even my city, Athens, was engaged in the fight. And how many souls have you gathered, my uncle, for your realm of Tartarus?

HADES: A few. My clientele is diminishing, niece. They don’t perish as they