Greek Lyric Tragedy in Dramas of Swinburne 7 
are six speaking characters present. This, however, is one of the 
few instances where either play varies from Greek tragedy in 
principles of construction. 
It might be expected that a nineteenth century dramatic poet 
would surely present characters that were individual rather than 
representative of some type. But Swinburne’s characters seem 
to have no more individuality than most of those in Greek 
tragedies, and probably not so much as some characters in the 
plays of Euripides. Erechtheus is the type of the loyal, devoted 
king, ready to make any sacrifice for his kingdom. He is noble, 
proud of his people and of his city. His destiny seems the more 
tragic, because he has been as faithful to the gods as to his 
country. Though fate is manifestly unjust to him, he does not 
complain, but sturdily yields to his sense of duty. He embodies 
the Greek ideal of moderation in all things. He and his queen, 
Praxithea, are both 
of mood 
Equal, in good time reverent of time bad, 
And glad in ill days of the good that were.?9 
Nor is his submission weak-spirited. When he goes forth to die 
his words are as heroic as a king’s should be: 
And with such mortal hopes as knows not fear 
I go this high last way to the end of all.3° 
Chthonia, Erechtheus’ daughter, is a character unusually lov- 
able; but she, too, seems to represent a type rather than an indi- 
vidual. She is as courageous as her father, as proud of Athens, 
and as ready to die, if she may save her city. This heroism is 
softened by her tender love for her mother.*t She seems an 
engaging child like Iphigenia, rather than a self sacrificing heroine 
like Antigone. 
In Atalanta in Calydon the characters stand out more clearly, 
but still represent types, with the possible exception of Althaea. 
Atalanta is a human Artemis, a strong character, 
29 Erechtheus, p. 349. 
8° Tbid., p. 360. 
$1 7bid., p. 376. 
347 
