Cyclops by Euripides

A new translation of Cyclops, a Satyr play by Euripides. Cyclops is the only Satyr play to have survived in full. The Satyr plays took as their theme a well-known mythological story: here, the story is of Odysseus' encounter with the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Satyrs and their elderly leader, Silenus (whose sole desire is to spend an easy life honouring Bacchus with wine and pursuing nymphs) are introduced into the story, the Satyrs forming the chorus. In Cyclops, Silenus and his satyrs have already come into contact with Polyphemus and been enslaved by him. The Satyrs were not heroic, but are always ready to join in witty repartee - from a safe distance. Silenus provides much of the humour, derived in large measure from his insatiable desire for alcohol. The play follows the traditional storyline and reaches the traditional conclusion - with the escape of Odysseus and the remnants of his crew, accompanied in this case by the joyful Silenus and his Satyrs.