18 Olivia Pound 
monologue form, in which the situation is disclosed, is again 
Euripidean. The part of the chief huntsman in Atalanta in 
Calydon, who describes the ravages of the boar sent by Artemis 
and the preparations for the hunt, might be compared with the 
part of Apollo in Euripides’ Alcestis, or of Poseidon in his 
Daughters of Troy. The prologue of Erechtheus might be com- 
pared with that of Iphigenia among the Tauri, or the part of the 
nurse in Medea. In both Swinburne’s plays, the end is antici- 
pated by foreboding. In Atalanta in Calydon the queen of Caly- 
don, Althaea, tells the chorus how she once dreamed she had 
brought forth a firebrand. When Meleager was born the Fates 
came and prophesied® that he should live no longer when the 
brand on the hearth was burned. So she had plucked out the 
brand and kept it. A huntsman at the opening of the play in his 
song to Artemis to speed the hunt has already told that Atalanta 
has come from Calydon to join the chase. Throughout Althaea’s 
confidences with the chorus, it is clear that Meleager is possessed 
of a great love for this huntress who has dedicated her life to 
Artemis. The queen hints®* at passionate scenes between her 
brothers and Meleager because of the part Atalanta is to take in 
the hunt. This opening situation is developed through the quar- 
rel®’ between Meleager and the brothers in the presence of Ata- 
lanta. The wrangling of the youths creates the feeling that the 
hunt starts under unfavorable omens. A long choral ode fills in 
the time from the departure of the hunters till the entrance of the 
messenger who comes to tell of the victorious ending of the hunt. 
The hopes of the hearers are raised. It seems as if, after all, 
the troubles forecast by the queen had been averted. The chorus 
sings a joyous ode to nature which closes with a prayer to 
Artemis. They have no sooner ended this outburst of thanks- 
giving than another messenger enters and announces that the 
queen’s brothers have been slain by Meleager, because they tried 
to deprive Atalanta of the spoil of the boar. Meleager had given 
85 Atalanta in Calydon, p. 256. 
66 Atalanta in Calydon, pp. 254-255. 
87 [bid., pp. 279-281. 
358 
