Gender Roles In The Oresteia By Aeschylus

The Oresteia, by Aeschylus, is a collection of three tragedies written about the events that occur relating to the House of Atreus. The main story revolves around the mission of Orestes, who travels great length to avenge his father 's death. Orestes’ father, Agamemnon, was murdered upon returning home from battle, by his wife Clytemnestra. Throughout the play, woman are used to demonstrate how traditional gender roles can be rejected and highlight the sexist nature of traditional greek society.
One of the primary ways Clytemnestra rejected her roles as a women was by the way she used her language. When Agamemnon first returns from war, Clytemnestra is very inviting. She explains, “when a woman sits at home, parted from her husband, her loneliness is terrible, and the rumors she hears spread like a …show more content…
After Clytemnestra murders her husband she brings forth Aegisthus as her lover. She says, “No, my dearest, no more killing. We already have a wretched harvest to reap” (Aeschylus, 1654-1655). After Clytemnestra rules over Argos, she does not want to give up the power she has gained. The only way for her to accomplish this is by breaking traditional gender roles and taking actions that a man would. Although it eventually lead to the demise of the house, she pursues her own lover. After Agamemnon is murdered, it is confirmed that the power has left his hands, but not Clytemnestra 's. She explains, “You and I hold the power of this house. We will set things right once and for all” (Aeschylus, 1670-1672). Clytemnestra is making it clear that she does not want to give up any power, but wants to rule equally with Aegisthus. If Clytemnestra conformed to traditional gender roles she would have to give up all her power, and be forced to become the powerless woman she was before the war. Clytemnestra breaks traditional gender norms in order to get what she