Margaret Yoon

Agamemnon, a Greek tragedy by Aeschylus, became more intriguing as the plot unfolded. I liked the character of Cassandra because she was a little mysterious, for her prophesying abilities, granted by Apollo, told of her and Agamemnon’s fates long before in dialogue before the Clytemnestra actually kills them. This however, strangely did not take away from the suspense and tension that heightens towards the impending murders. Revenge is a recurring theme, for Agamemnon goes to war to avenge the abduction of Helen, his brother’s wife; Clytemnestra kills her husband because Agamemnon is stained by the blood of their daughter’s death; Aegisthus plans Agamemnon’s death to avenge the wrongs Agamemnon’s father, Atreus, committed by tricking Aegisthus’ father, Thyestes, into eating his own children; and Cassandra foretells Clytemnestra that her son Orestes will avenge her for Agamemnon’s death.

When the Chorus fears a flood, evident in its dread that “the deluge is in store” (line 1535), I saw a parallel to the creation myths, especially Genesis, for God brings about the flood to cleanse man’s sin. I interpret the Chorus’ dread as the gods potentially destroying Clytemnestra for killing her husband, as well as delivering punishment to undue sin in general.

I did not like how Aegisthus is so cold-hearted and rude to the elders, for he threatens to punish them for chastising him in planning Agamemnon’s death. I think he is too strong-headed and blind in his desire for revenge.