The Mythological Background of Iliad
The Golden Apple of Discord
Characters:
Introduction There was once a war so great that the sound of it resonates for centuries. Known as the Trojan War, this clash which participated by gods and mortals had resulted not by the will of men, but by the actions of the gods themselves. The very seed of this catastrophe was the infamous golden apple of discord. If not been for the jealousy of immortals, this great war would never have been come to pass. But destiny had nurtured this seed, and not even a single person, both gods and mortals alike, could prevent this impending doom that swept over Greece like a great fire. Let us travel back in time when the gods often left their home in Mt. Olympus to dabble about the lives of the mortals.
Narrator: Zeus and his queen Hera have decided to have a wedding celebration for the hero Peleus and the sea-nymph Thetis, who will soon become the parents of the famous hero, Achilles. Before the celebration, Zeus sent Hermes to deliver invitations. He invited all of the gods but purposely excluded Eris, the goddess of strife and chaos. He “feared” that the presence of Eris would ruin the wedding feast. But the news about the party had spread all over the world, and Eris eventually find out about this.
Scene I. Eris residence. Eris is relaxing in a cot when her talkative servant who has tendencies for gossiping approach her.
Eris’ minion (EM): A good day to you, my goddess Eris. I have the hottest news in Olympus that would surely catch your interest, my lady.
Eris: What is it? Tell me minion, for I am very impatient to hear such news of yours. Make sure that it will catch up my interest, for I have no desire on matters that would not concern the goddess of strife and chaos.
EM: Surely, it will catch your interest, my highness. Haven’t you heard? The gods & goddesses will be holding a banquet tomorrow for the wedding of the mortal Peleus, son of King