The dynamics of the prologue in Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris

Abstract

THIS article highlights the importance of the prologue for the articulation of the spatiotemporal axes of the play and for the foregrounding of its composite themes. More importantly, it brings to the fore a series of mythicoritually defined elements (previously undetected) that make their appearance in the prologue and function dynamically throughout the play. Their significance contributes to the cohesion of the action and is intimately connected with the inventiveness of its plot.