Agamemnon

Description:

The Oresteia is a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus, and Agamemnon (Ἀγαμέμνων) is the first play in this series. The trilogy explores themes of justice, revenge, and the involvement of the gods in human lives. Agamemnon tells the story of the king’s return from the Trojan War and his subsequent murder by his wife, Clytemnestra (Κλυταιμνήστρα), and her lover, Aegisthus (Αἴγισθος). This act of vengeance initiates a cycle of retribution that continues through the subsequent plays, reflecting the complex interplay of fate and human agency in Greek tragedy.

In Agamemnon, Aeschylus sets a tone of anticipation and unease. The play opens with a watchman waiting for a signal indicating Troy’s fall, symbolising Agamemnon’s imminent return. This scene introduces the underlying themes of destiny and divine will. Upon his return, Agamemnon is greeted by Clytemnestra, who feigns loyalty but harbours deep resentment over his sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia (Ἰφιγένεια). This tension between appearances and true intentions is a central motif in the play.

Clytemnestra’s elaborate deception culminates in Agamemnon’s murder. She and Aegisthus kill Agamemnon as an act of vengeance, ostensibly to avenge Iphigenia but also to seize power. The murder scene is depicted with dramatic intensity, highlighting themes of betrayal and justice. Aeschylus employs rich imagery and dialogue to convey the moral complexities and emotional turmoil of his characters, illustrating the catastrophic consequences of revenge and the cyclical nature of violence.

The play concludes with Clytemnestra and Aegisthus seizing control of the kingdom, setting the stage for The Libation Bearers (Χοηφόροι) and The Eumenides (Εὐμενίδες). These subsequent plays explore the repercussions of Clytemnestra’s actions and the eventual resolution of the cycle of vengeance through the establishment of a new order of justice. The Oresteia as a whole reflects on the evolution of justice from personal retribution to institutionalised law, a central theme in Aeschylus’s work.