Posted by Scott Hubbard on March 15, 19100 at 12:54:55:
In Reply to: the play "Agamemnon" posted by Leigh Ann Hornick on March 13, 19100 at 15:10:03:
: To whom it may concern:
: For my Humanities class, I have to choose a classical play to write on. I have chosen "Agamemnon" written by Aeshylus.My paper must consist of; considering the myth on which it is based and how the author has used it. If he has altered the myth or omitted parts or added parts. Lastly, I must discuss an interpretation of the play and talk about what it has meant to later ages. I would greatly appreciate it, if you could possibly send me further information based on the above statements.
: Thankyou,
: Leigh Ann Hornick
Leigh Ann: First of all, you made a good choice. Some basic background: we know that Agamemnon was killed upon his return home from the Trojan war, because when Odysseus travels to the underworld in the Nekuia section of the Odyssey, he encounters Agamemnon's ghost, who promptly warns him not to trust women. Now Agamemnon's wife Klytemestra had taken a lover, Aigisthos, while Agamemnon was away at Troy, and began plotting revenge because Agamemnon had murdered their daughter, Iphigenia, in a ritual sacrifice at Aulis. The Greeks had offended the godess Artemis, and as recompense had to sacrifice a daughter of noble birth, or the Greek fleet would not be allowed to sail forth to Troy. As I said, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia, to appeasethe godess, and this is the spark of motivation for Klytemestra to kill him upon his return (ten years later). Now, Aeschylus never directly speaks of this vicious crime. When the time is obviously right to mention it, a character will say--"Oops, I cannot speak--a great ox stands on my tongue" or something dippy like that. It seems as if Aeschylus wants to avoid painting Agamemnon in a bad light, and make Klytemestra the bad guy. In reality, of course, there is enough gulit to go around for everyone. Or this is the way I see it. If you have any more questions, or if I can be of any further assistance, just let me know. Scott
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