Ajax, 1

Odysseus stealthily approaches Ajax's tent, investigating a bizarre crime.  It seems that Ajax has raided the Greeks' livestock pen, murdering its guards and slaughtering many animals, as well as bringing a few back to his tent for further torture and carnage.  Athena stops Odysseus and explains what really happened: in retaliation for being denied Achilleus's armor, Ajax meant to kill Odysseus, Agamemnon, Menelaus, and many other officers, so Athena put him in a frenzy and directed him to the livestock instead.  Odysseus is taken aback even more than before, when he only thought he knew had happened.

The Chorus, made up of Ajax's men, approach in fear and horror, having heard terrible rumors about their leader.  They try to make excuses and otherwise explain away the behavior, anything to avoid the truth of what has happened.  Tecmessa (Ajax's wife through capture) emerges and tells them what she knows-- the terrible madness that consumed Ajax, and his singular mindset to slaughter the animals he slaughtered.  It appears, however, that he is emerging from the crazed state.  The men are glad to hear it, but Tecmessa explains that that makes things worse than before: whereas at least Ajax was pleased with himself in his frenzy, now he has fallen into misery with the rest.  He is now wailing in agony inside the tent.

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A very interesting narrative device: we get a picture of the action that has taken place from the perspective of five different characters-- Odysseus, Athena, Ajax, the Chorus, and Tecmessa-- none of whom really understand what has happened (except Athena, I suppose).  Instead, rumors are flying.  It's a frightening (in the sense of disorienting) introduction to the play.

To that end, this passage is a wonderful exploration of how rumors spread, and how political factions batten down the hatches to try to protect their own.  From the Chorus (148-182):

Such tales as these, whisperings and fabrications,
Odysseus is supplying to every ear.
And many believe him.  For as he speaks of you,
His words win credit, and each new hearer
More than the teller relishes his chance
To insult at your distress.
Strike at a great man, and you will not miss:
But if one should bend such slander at me,
None would believe him.  Envy stalks
After magnates of wealth and power...

Can it have been wild, bull-consorting Artemis
That stirred you, evil Tale...

Or was it Enyalios, the bronze-cased Lord of War
That blamed our lord's co-operant spear,
And spitefully paid him out in the night's error?
For never, son of Telamon, of your own heart's prompting
Would you so far have strayed...

Also of note: this is my first explanation of what was going on here, when Homer only hinted at the rivalry between Odysseus and Aias.  (And they seemed so chummy in the Iliad!)  It struck me how amazing it would have been to have all these tales and myths swirling around as the foundation of the common culture.  Here I am trying to re-read it all, but there is so much that is missing and lost.  Oh, well.