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?
NestorWe 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.
Nestor
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.
Nestor
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?
Nestor
Oh, yes. He's here too.
[They stand as Agamemnon and Menelaus approach]
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]
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?
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?
In the haste of anger, rituals may have been neglected.
The offense is against us! The winds will change.
Get the priests and the seers. Make offerings of birds to the Goddess, now. Surely Artemis will understand.
They won't hand her over.
Nestor
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.]
NO! [Menelaus stops inches from Odysseus, who gazes coolly back at him] Put your swords away.
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.
Then double the numbers. I want him brought here for my brother's satisfaction... and for my own.
I thought you might come.
When does this stop? When we're all dead?
When the King feels in his soul the wrong he's done me, and gives me back my girl. That probably won't happen tonight.
They have twice the numbers. They have dozens of horses; you could have Trojan riders in your tent within hours.
Well, we'll be sure to welcome them. Won't we? [he glances at Patroclus, who chuckles]
See, I'm not like you, Odysseus. You like to win, regardless of the cause. If I feel the cause is wrong, I can't move. [Odysseus scoffs] My sword won't rise in my hand-
Nestor
Stop this. We don't have time!
There's always time for thinking, Nestor.
Nestor
We need your men, even if you won't fight.
Give me a reason, and I'll fight. One that isn't rape or pillage. You show me a higher calling that demands my power. Give me a cause, and I'll give you war. Can you? [pause] Thought not. So, in the absence of glory... you'll have to rely on your ways, Odysseus: the wiles of man. They've served you well up 'till now.
You'll regret this. I swear, by the Gods. [He and Nestor turn to leave]
What do you know of Gods?
Troy: Fall of a City · 20 quotes
