Losing a loved one to another loved one is arguably one of the worst experiences a human can endure, but our reaction to this atrocious betrayal of trust can be enough to convict us. This is precisely what happened to Clytemnestra in Aeschylus’ Oresteia.
Before the Trojan war, when Agamemnon was setting sail for Troy, the wind would not allow him to leave so he sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods. He then left Clytemnestra to rule for ten years not including the several years of sailing.While he was gone, his wife, Clytemnestra, planned her revenge and had an affair with his cousin Aegisthus. Upon his return she did not appeal to the people as to what his fate should be, but, taking justice into her own hands, she killed him and …show more content…
While her anger at being left alone for ten years and desire for revenge for unjust death of Iphigenia are compelling, Clytemnestra’s other motives and unlawful procedure do not allow her to be absolved. First let’s look at Biblical law. Deuteronomy 19:15 requires multiple witnesses to convict for an offense. Clytemnestra failed to try Agamemnon, a task which could have easily been achieved. Clytemnestra also killed Cassandra, against whom she has only an unbacked suspicion of adultery. Even had she brought Cassandra to trial, she could not have justified her death. One of Clytemnestra’s motives was likely anger at being seemingly abandoned, however, in the Odyssey we see that Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is faithful despite being actively tempted by several suitors. While Agamemnon was guilty of murder, this does not absolve Clytemnestra’s crimes. Thus the Bible condemns Clytemnestra and sentences her to the death penalty. Next, Clytemnestra is guilty according to Greek law. After Clytemnestra killed Agamemnon, two important characters denounced her actions, Apollo and the Chorus. The Chorus’s reaction to Clytemnestra’s murder was immediate disgust and a prediction of vengeance in line 1429 of the Agamemnon. In the Libation Bearers, Apollo commands Orestes to pursue the foreshadowed vengeance in line 274. Justice in Greek culture is ultimately dictated by the gods and they have condemned Clytemnestra to death. Both
Before the Trojan war, when Agamemnon was setting sail for Troy, the wind would not allow him to leave so he sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods. He then left Clytemnestra to rule for ten years not including the several years of sailing.While he was gone, his wife, Clytemnestra, planned her revenge and had an affair with his cousin Aegisthus. Upon his return she did not appeal to the people as to what his fate should be, but, taking justice into her own hands, she killed him and …show more content…
While her anger at being left alone for ten years and desire for revenge for unjust death of Iphigenia are compelling, Clytemnestra’s other motives and unlawful procedure do not allow her to be absolved. First let’s look at Biblical law. Deuteronomy 19:15 requires multiple witnesses to convict for an offense. Clytemnestra failed to try Agamemnon, a task which could have easily been achieved. Clytemnestra also killed Cassandra, against whom she has only an unbacked suspicion of adultery. Even had she brought Cassandra to trial, she could not have justified her death. One of Clytemnestra’s motives was likely anger at being seemingly abandoned, however, in the Odyssey we see that Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, is faithful despite being actively tempted by several suitors. While Agamemnon was guilty of murder, this does not absolve Clytemnestra’s crimes. Thus the Bible condemns Clytemnestra and sentences her to the death penalty. Next, Clytemnestra is guilty according to Greek law. After Clytemnestra killed Agamemnon, two important characters denounced her actions, Apollo and the Chorus. The Chorus’s reaction to Clytemnestra’s murder was immediate disgust and a prediction of vengeance in line 1429 of the Agamemnon. In the Libation Bearers, Apollo commands Orestes to pursue the foreshadowed vengeance in line 274. Justice in Greek culture is ultimately dictated by the gods and they have condemned Clytemnestra to death. Both