Sonnet for Ajax

This is a rhymed synopsis of the hero's fate in Sophocles' play about Ajax.

Slaughtering cattle in the mad belief
that they were men of war who had betrayed him,
meaning to bring his fellow Greeks to grief,
he kills dumb beasts. A goddess had waylaid him.

She who stood for wisdom filled his mind
with folly. She protected other men;
but as day breaks, he's left alone to find
his fame lies mired in the livestock pen.

His stolen bride now begs him, “Take a rest.
No need to make decisions in a hurry.
A day of watchful waiting would be best.”
He reassures her, tells her not to worry.

He leaves his tent and marches to the shore.
He falls upon his sword, and speaks no more