Sarah And Clytemnestra Analysis

Sarah and Clytemnestra are both highly influential characters in the narratives of their respective stories. Sarah is responsible for bearing Abraham’s children and continuing his line. Clytemnestra is the treacherous queen who kills her husband in an act of revenge that sets in motion the events of the next two plays. Rather than portraying damsels in distress or flawless maidens, these women are flawed. Both women act in questionable ways. Sarah laughs at God and shows doubt that he will help her bear children. Clytemnestra murders her husband. Obviously these actions are not equivalent in terms of morality (or lack thereof). But both instances show that these women are not merely one-dimensional. However, their importance in the story and their depth of character does not give them full agency or independence from the men in their lives. Although the text itself implies that Sarah and Clytemnestra have these qualities, an analysis of the overall narrative reveals that both women’s actions are fueled directly by the men in their lives. They carry the illusion of agency, but none of the power of independence. When Sarah realizes that she is barren, she says to Abraham, “go in to my slave-girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” Without argument, “Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” Later, Sarah “gave [the slave-girl] to her husband Abram as a wife.” In this instance, Sarah is the one to take an active role in ensuring that Abraham fathers a son to continue his …show more content…
In the Bible passage, Abraham’s needs dictate Sarah’s actions. In the Oresteia, Agamemnon’s actions dictate Clytemnestra’s actions. However, the way they react to this male influence is a key difference. As stated before, Sarah acts in service of her husband, whereas Clytemnestra acts against her husband. Sarah wants to benefit Abraham and his future sons and grandsons, whereas Clytemnestra wants to end Agamemnon’s legacy