Theseus and the Minotaur

Theseus and the Minotaur is a tragic drama in one act (about 45 minutes in duration) suitable for high school students or young adult theater. Theseus is a brave hero. He carries a great sword. He aspires to be King of Athens. Yet he is judged poorly for being the illegitimate son of the sovereign, and is labelled as unfit for kingship. He knows he can only achieve his dreams by undermining the legitimacy of the monarch and the political stability of the entire region, and by turning to treachery. He says he has joined the Athenian youths on their way to the Minotaur to rescue them from their appointed fate, yet there is deceit in his eye. He says he has rescued Princess Ariadne from a Dionysian cult because he loves her, yet now he manipulates her to be able to enter the labyrinth carrying arms. The Athenian youths sense his duplicity. They carry a great responsibility. They must offer themselves as sacrifice to the Minotaur so as to sustain the peace accord between Athens and Crete and thus enable their families and villages to live in peace and honour. But now that Theseus has come among them they are confused. They are overjoyed at his presence, yet also they fear it. They want to be saved from their terrible duty, yet also they know they must fulfil this burden for the sake of millions. They realise they will be offered freedom if the terrible Minotaur is slain, yet also they realise the peace accord will be undermined and there will be war. They will be complicit to the unleashing of terrible atrocities. Never will they be able to show themselves to their families and friends again. They will live, yet in terrible disgrace and shame. They ask themselves over and over again: What should they do?