A SATYRIC DRAMA TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK OF EURIPIDES. by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Editor's note

Silenus, the aged leader of the satyrs and the foster-father of Bacchus (Dionysus), kicks off the play by lamenting the countless struggles he has faced while serving the god. He provides some background: a storm had scattered the satyrs across the sea as they searched for Bacchus, leading to their enslavement by the Cyclops Polyphemus. This opening monologue is more of a humorous grumble than a true lament, setting a lighthearted tone. It firmly places the play in the realm of satyr drama, where mythological heroes are seen through a lens of down-to-earth, irreverent humor.

Editor's note

The chorus of satyrs bursts in, singing as they herd the Cyclops's sheep. Their song blends rustic imagery with their typical lewdness and a yearning for Bacchus's wine-fueled celebrations. While the satyrs come off as funny, their situation is serious—they're laborers with no freedom. Their melodies reveal a true desire to escape and return to their former life of joy and worship.

Editor's note

Odysseus arrives with his starving crew and meets Silenus. He attempts to trade wine for food, and Silenus — unable to resist the aroma of the wine — eagerly gives away the Cyclops's cheese and lambs without asking. This moment is comedic: Silenus is a brazen opportunist, and Odysseus, the legendary hero of the *Odyssey*, finds himself bargaining for groceries. Yet, this wine will turn out to be the crucial weapon Odysseus uses to overcome Polyphemus.

Editor's note

The Cyclops Polyphemus comes back and traps Odysseus and his crew. He’s a terrifying figure but also ridiculously arrogant, giving a speech that mocks philosophical materialism—he insists that his belly is his only god and that wealth and pleasure are the only true realities. Shelley captures this speech with great vigor; it serves as a satirical critique of blatant self-interest and the dismissal of higher values, reflecting themes that clearly fascinated Shelley, the political radical.

Editor's note

Odysseus attempts to appeal to the Cyclops's sense of hospitality and the divine laws, mentioning Zeus as the guardian of guests. Polyphemus ignores this with disdain. This interaction highlights the conflict between civilization (represented by Odysseus, who invokes law and divine order) and raw power (the Cyclops, who acknowledges no authority apart from his own desires). Shelley's translation maintains the philosophical tension while preserving the original's comedic energy.

Editor's note

Odysseus makes Polyphemus drunk with the wine he brought from the ship—the very same wine that Silenus had been sneakily enjoying all along. The Cyclops, not used to wine, turns loud and emotional. Odysseus introduces himself as 'Nobody,' using the same clever trick from Homer's *Odyssey*. The satyrs, thrilled by the scene, encourage the Cyclops and assist Odysseus in getting ready the fiery stake that will blind him. This moment serves as the comic and dramatic peak of the play.

Editor's note

The chorus calls for silence and caution as Odysseus and his men heat the stake, ready to blind the sleeping Cyclops. The satyrs show their cowardice by constantly making excuses to avoid direct involvement, yet they cheer from the sidelines. This cowardice adds humor and highlights a key trait of satyr drama: the satyrs are all for heroism, as long as they can stay out of the action.

Editor's note

Polyphemus wakes up, furious and disoriented, unable to see. As he calls out to the other Cyclopes for assistance, he claims, "Nobody has blinded me" — just like in Homer's tale. The other Cyclopes, bewildered, leave him to his misery. Meanwhile, Odysseus and his crew make their escape to the ship. The satyrs, now liberated, rejoice and get ready to set sail with Odysseus. The conclusion feels triumphant and humorously exaggerated, showcasing how cleverness, rather than sheer force, leads to freedom.