".

             Clytaemestra single-handedly plots the murder of Agamemnon and Cassandra, his concubine. When she is successful, she celebrates her triumph by professing it loudly, ".I have had long enough to prepare this wrestle for victory. I stand where I struck, over the finished work." Clytemnestra firmly believes her actions are ethical and fair. Standing before the Chorus, she strongly adheres to her beliefs that she was justified in killing Agamemnon. The Elders are torn between devotion to their king and the moral issues and defense Clytemnestra passionately presents before them. The entire Trojan War was based on a superfluous act of hatred and vengefulness, spawned from the seduction of Helen. The audience can only feel sympathy for a broken hearted mother whose rage drove her to kill her husband and his concubine.

             In addition to pride, strength, and efficiency, Clytaemestra is also skillful. These characteristics mainly come into play when she plans and carries out a plot to murder Agamemnon. Clytaemestra is seen by the Elders of Argos, also know as the Chorus, as untrustworthy. Although suspicious of her, they still did not foresee the impending murders. She tends to play on words with all of the true meanings hidden from all those around her. Clytaemestra more or less alludes to her plan of murder with confidence and a lack of fear of being exposed. Irony is displayed here: the audience are the only ones able to understand the double meaning in her words. When Agamemnon goes off to battle, Clytaemestra "hopes" that he and his soldiers do not commit any impiety in Troy that might offend the gods. She secretly wishes that Agamemnon return safely so she may kill him herself. Clytaemestra's shrewdness is also demonstrated by the way she lures her husband into submission. She wants him to walk on the purple tapestries hoping this action would anger the gods who in turn would bless and aide her in his murder.