Caragh TiernanDrama Lit Lab 11am10-1-14

Second DraftAjax by Sophocles is a greek tragedy that follows the downward spiral of Ajax a disgraced greek warrior who after killing the Greeks livestock and descending into madness, decides to take his life and the aftermath of this concerning Ajaxs burial. Theater of War is a project helmed by Bryan Doerries which brings Ajax to war veterans and their families in the hopes it will become a cathartic, safe place for soldier to feel comfortable working through their post war problems. Thanks to the many different methods and programs (Theatre of War) soldiers have became increasingly more mature in handling the effects and change caused by war than they have in the past. Ajax serves as a good cautionary tale, a clear outline of how society shouldnt react and how people recovering from trauma should not act.

One of the many different coping devices soldiers returning from war use is isolation. Tired from all the tears, he now rests in his mess, strangely silent, refusing food or water, planning to do some terrible thing.(Ajax)My uncle Danny is a Vietnam veteran, when he came back he fell heavily into drugs and became a recluse. He didnt have anything or any place to help him, he would have benefitted greatly from a program like Theater of War because it helps open up discussion and provides support. I think the military and society need to move past their negative perception of weakness. He started to make these low sounds, the kind I never thought Id hear him make, for he always told his men that crying was for woman and cowards.(Ajax) There is such a huge pressure on soldiers to be these tough heroes that when they come home less than that, maybe a little broken they become stigmatized.

A diminished sense of pride

just for a moment, release your thoughts and listen to what those who love you have to say.(Chorus, 28)