The Trial Of Orestes Analysis

The tragic tale of the royal family of Argos is one that baffled both men and gods alike. Gods of old and new became divided amongst themselves as they attempted to sort out the “madness” of Orestes’ family and the events that led to the death of his father and mother, as well as his mother’s lover. The lines are hardly black and white as ideas of justice, duty, and morality become blurred in the chaos. But, at the end of Aeschylus’ tale, all parties (which are still living) come to a peaceful agreement in which a court pronounces justice and the killing finally comes to an end. However, for a story that is so heavily focused on themes of justice, I would argue that the trial of Orestes was not fair to all parties involved, specifically the …show more content…
But, are not the Furies also justified in this sense? They too have received a sacred duty which they are bound to uphold, compelled by Zeus and the natural order of the world to repay blood for blood because of Clytemnestra’s death. And what is even more, Orestes did have a choice. He could have chosen to ignore the will of Apollo. That choice too would have consequences, but it was a choice nonetheless. Orestes could have avoided the wrath of the Furies if he had chosen not to kill his mother. But, Orestes felt bound by duty to avenge his father. And for this commitment to duty, he is praised and commended even when it leads to murdering his own mother. However, the Furies, being bound by the sense of duty, are portrayed as villainous and unjust. If Orestes was just in fulfilling his duty, then by the same logic, the Furies should be justified in fulfilling theirs. By justifying the death of Clytemnestra, the death of Orestes also becomes justified. Therefore, the ruling in Orestes’ favor contradicts itself in that it both frees him and condemns him at the same time.
The trial concerning Orestes and the madness that ran in his family is not an easy thing to judge. When so many lines are blurred, it is hard to draw the distinction between right and wrong or fair and unjust. It is understandable that the jury would have a hard time reaching a verdict. However, as I have shown, by choosing to justify the actions of Orestes, they have also justified the desires and duties of the Furies. Therefore, according to their own logic and sense of justice, their ruling was in no way just or fair to the