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Long, long ago; her thought was of that child By him…

“Long, long ago; her thought was of that child By him begot, the son by whom the sire Was murdered and the mother left to breed With her own seed, a monstrous progeny. Then she bewailed the marriage bed whereon Poor wretch, she had conceived a double brood, Husband by husband, children by her child.” quote by Sophocles
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““Long, long ago; her thought was of that child By him begot, the son by whom the sire Was murdered and the mother left to breed With her own seed, a monstrous progeny. Then she bewailed the marriage bed whereon Poor wretch, she had conceived a double brood, Husband by husband, children by her child.””

Sophocles

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A mother laments bearing a child who will cause the death of his father, leading to a tragic cycle of loss and betrayal.

In simple terms: A mother mourns a child who will cause his father's death.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how past actions shape present suffering.

Themes

tragedy family fate betrayal

Mood

somber reflective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family conflict
  • personal loss
  • ethical dilemmas

Key Concepts

Greek tragedy generational trauma

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can we break cycles of inherited suffering?
  • What responsibility do we have for our ancestors' deeds?
A Different Perspective

The curse may be broken only by confronting the past.

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