Caragh Tiernan
Drama Lit Lab 11am
9-24-14
First Draft Ajax by Sophocles is a greek tragedy that follows the downward spiral of Ajax a disgraced greek warrior who after killing the Greeks livestock and descending into madness, decides to take his life and the aftermath of this concerning Ajax’s burial. Theater of War is a project helmed by Bryan Doerries which brings Ajax to war veterans and their families in the hopes it will become a cathartic, safe place for soldier to feel comfortable working through their post war problems. Since the idea of “shell shock” arouse after the first world war there has been a great deal of awareness brought to the topic. Now present day thanks to the many different methods and programs (theatre of war) soldiers have became increasingly more mature in handling the effects and change caused by war. Ajax serves as a good cautionary tale, a clear outline of what not to do and how not to react. A big motivation in Ajax’s suicide is his loss of honor, it is so devastating to him that he feels his only way to escape is to take his own life. “A great man must must live in honor or die an honorable death.”(Ajax, 28) Many soldiers struggle after war because they feel they’ve lost a part of themselves or their identify entirely. Because of their actions or what they have seen they feel some shame or guilt. Though Ajax’s circumstances might have been different, he failed to learn that it is possible to move on from who you used to be or how you once saw yourself. Honor was Ajax’s identity, without it he was lost but he deluded himself into thinking that with out his honor there was nothing tying himself to the earth. Tecmessa and Ajax’s son were people he could have have lived an “honorable” life with.

Soldiers returning from war may use many different coping devices. My uncle Danny is a Vietnam veteran, when he came back he fell heavily into drugs and became a recluse. He didn’t have anything or any place to help him, he would have benefitted greatly from a program like Theater of War because it helps open up discussion and provides support. I think the military and society need to move past their negative perception of weakness. There is such a huge pressure on soldiers to be these tough heroes that when they come home less than that, maybe a little broken they become stigmatized.

In the play Ajax talks about men, not wanting to live and how they shouldn’t lie to themselves. “It is pitiful when men hold onto false hopes.”(Ajax, 28) In regards to veterans, I find this statement invalid because hope that could carry you on to the next day is a good thing. Telling yourself a something you don’t fully believe

“… just for a moment, release your thoughts and listen to what those who love you have to say.”(Chorus, 28) Soldier’s loved one