This article examines the parallel progression of action and narration in Sophocles’ Trachiniae. This progression evolves through the four extended speeches of Deianira, the main tragic character of the play. Each of these speeches corresponds to successive stages of Deianira’s role, and their dialectics of ignorance and knowledge, action and reaction, make them a prime example of the interconnection of action and narration. In each of her speeches, Deianira promotes an aspect of the plot, while at the same time assuring the gradual progression of her own tragic fate. Thus, continuity of action becomes identical with continuity of the main character’s personal story, and the progressive movement of the action runs parallel with Deianira’s progressive movement towards death. This transforms the whole play into the heroine’s personal tragedy. The entire drama may thus be treated as a single heartbreaking monologue, whereby the heroine lays bare her own self.
