AAjax
Tricks of Hermes? Tricks of Penelope, more like.
Ajax, what do you know about women? Stick to fighting, and spitting. Who else is here?
We all are. Lovers and defenders of Greece, as I know you are. And the best strategist we have.
You don't need me to return a whore to her marriage-bed.
You admire Helen as much as the rest of us! I seem to remember you fought for her hand.
[smiles] We all did. And look who won her. [nods in Menelaus' direction] No war should be fought for such a man.
In stealing Helen, the Trojan Prince insulted all of us.
It's not just about the girl, though, is it, Nestor? [glances at a tent on a hilltop] Is that Achilles?
[They stand as Agamemnon and Menelaus approach]
AgamemnonOdysseus, let's walk.
I know we've shared harsh words in the past. I'd just like to say-
All forgotten, my Lord. We have one enemy now.
[He and Menelaus embrace]
Agamemnon
This war won't take long.
We get the queen back, and we teach them a lesson.
[sarcastically] The Gods will see to it.
Cruel wind. How long's it been blowing like this?
Agamemnon
It's been gusting on-shore since we came.
If it doesn't? We can't sail in this. Did you make offerings to the Goddess?
Agamemnon
In the haste of anger, rituals may have been neglected.
The offense is against us! The winds will change.
Agamemnon
Get the priests and the seers. Make offerings of birds to the Goddess, now. Surely Artemis will understand.
Agamemnon
What happened?
SSeer
She demands... a sacrifice, of a dove purer than pure. I tried. I took a white dove in my hand, cut its' throat, but she just laughed. She said, "That is not the dove I mean" [stares at Agamemnon] The dove she wants... is human.
Agamemnon
Human?
Agamemnon
[after a long pause]... This will be prevented. Try again.
Agamemnon
Don't say anything. There must be a way.
Agamemnon
Why? Why demand that? To kill my own blood, why?!
So you can look a Trojan in the eye as you break into their city, and know that nothing they suffered can compare to what you suffered here.
Agamemnon
What kind of justice is that?
The justice of war, my Lord.
Agamemnon
Then we won't travel to Troy.
You will have us look like cowards!
Agamemnon
Then you give up your child!
Hermione wasn't asked for!
Agamemnon
... What if I offer myself? I'll slit my own throat-
OOdyssesus
Then we lose a leader, and gain nothing. [pause] There is no negotiation, sir. You know that.
Brother, we are running out of time.
We must find the best way to expedite-
[Agamemnon strikes him and grabs him by the throat]
Agamemnon
"Expedite?" Expedite?! Do you have a heart?!
Yes, my Lord. But we are here, now. The winds will not change unless you do. Your men will not follow a King the Gods have abandoned.
[Agamemnon releases him]
They won't hand her over.
But the boy's gone. Why keep her now?
Afraid we'll humiliate them, financially... and politically.
I won that duel. The terms were specific: immediate surrender... and the return of my wife.
Trickery got you the advantage, Menelaus. I'm not sure you can claim the moral high ground.
It was your idea to use the priest.
To weaken the prince's resolve. But you missed your chance.
[shakes his head] ... I didn't miss my chance.
[enraged] You say that again.
FUCK! [He grabs a knife and lunges at Odysseus; Ajax, Diomedes and Nestor draw their swords.]
Agamemnon
NO! [Menelaus stops inches from Odysseus, who gazes coolly back at him] Put your swords away.
Agamemnon
They have reneged on the conditions of the duel. Alexander fled, lost all rights to her, and to his life. And I want that coward found.
[nods] I have men roaming the hills.
Agamemnon
Then double the numbers. I want him brought here for my brother's satisfaction... and for my own.
BBriseis
You're attacking during the mourning period-
[Agamemnon grabs her by the throat]
Agamemnon
You want to object? Because I'll give you something to object about. [He reaches for her breast, she pulls herself out of his grasp] When I get back.
[As he finishes putting his armor on, Briseis grabs a knife from his table. As she prepares to stab him from behind, Odysseus enters the tent; she hastily puts the knife behind her back]
Agamemnon
[to Menelaus] My brother, many years ago, I said I'd avenge your shame. Now I shall.
[they embrace and exit the tent]
BBriseis
[throws the knife to the ground]... Just kill me. Let me join my brother.
[Odysseus picks up the knife, then hands it back to her]
Flee tonight, when the battle begins. My men won't stop you.
Troy: Fall of a City · 20 quotes
