agamemnon
In "Agamemnon" by Aeschylus, Clytaemnestra is the character with the majority of the power because of her ability to manipulate the other characters. She is not influenced or swayed by Aegisthus to murder her husband. She kills to gain justice for her daughter's death, as she feels their law justifies her acts. Clytaemnestra manipulates the other characters into believing that she is weak, she toys with the other characters to further empower herself. In her mind, it is a benefit that she will gain more power over the kingdom and retain her concubine, Aegisthus. From the beginning, Clytaemnestra was a woman with power. Her first action in Agamemnon was to command. She was later described by the chorus of elderly men as "growing strong in her house, with no fear of the husband." (Line 151-152) The Chorus looked to her for guidance and protection, alluding to her as their "lone defender, single-minded queen." (Line 257-258) Her power was recognized by the Chorus, "We've come, Clytaemnestra. We respect your power. Right it is to honor the warlord's woman one he leaves the throne." (Lines 258-261) This line immediately sets up the fact that Clytaemnestra has gained power in Argos during Agamemnon's absence.
The parts of "Agamemnon," where she did reveal her true feelings came when she talked about her children, "And so our child is gone, not standing by our side, the bond of our dearest pledges, mine and yours, by all rights our child should be here." (Lines 864-866) While she is most likely talking about Orestes, it seems to be that these lines have meaning on several levels. Not only was she informing her husband of their son's whereabouts, she also seemed to mourn over the death of Iphigeneia. Further, she suggests that the exile of Orestes was her husband's fault, saying, "You risk all [for] the wars." (Line 872) It is in these few lines that Aeschylus presents the weakness of Clytaemnestra, her inability to protect her children and her anger because she cannot. Agamemnon gives up his last amount of power when Clytaemnestra convinces him to walk into his house on the crimson paintings, probably foreshadowing his blood at his death. is first address to Clytaemnestra that we learn that power is a main aspect of her. When Clytaemnestra explains that she is lighting the alters because the war against Troy is over, which she knows because of the torch signals, she says that they are her "proof, my burning sign...the power my lord passed on from Troy to me!" (Line 318-319) This is one of the many examples of how Clytaemnestra was not given proper credit for her resourcefulness, and how her subjects sometimes looked down upon her. These feelings come from the customs of the culture where women were looked upon as inferior to men. Even the chorus, though it claims it respects her, mocks her behind her back. Thus, most characters in this play display different facades for the surrounding audience of people. Even though the Chorus did not initially believe her report about the victory at Troy, this does not compromise the respect and fear they feel for their queen. They justify their disbelief the easiest way they can, with the notion that women are easily swayed by gossip. Clearly, it was more their doubts about believing victory had come after ten years, rather than just their mistrust of woman that led them to their doubt. Clytaemnestra was willing to do anything to follow throug
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Approximate Word count = 1487
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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