 Augustus’ fate was naturally not in his control both as a slave and as a human being, just as Oedipus' fate was not in his hands.Dove says, “I want the audience to actually root for Amalia, Augustus’ mother and lover-to see her, and the others, as human beings trying to be individuals in a system that won't let them.I want there to be no chance for escape, to show a system that seems sturdily in place, as irrevocable and inevitable, as the Greek Gods seemed to the Greeks.” She didn't want for there to be any room for Augustus' and Amalia's relationship to grow.