...ENG4U-C Lesson 1 I N D E PE N D E NT LE A R N I N G C E N T R E CE N T RE D’É T U D E S I N D É P E N DA N T E S Summary of Agamemnon Summary of Agamemnon THE AGAMEMNON OF AESCHYLUS First part of “The Serpent Son” Prologue: The Watchman on the roof of the Palace of Agamemnon at Mycenae presents the facts. He has been watching a year for the fire signal that will announce Troy’s capture, and all is not well within the house. He sees the beacon at last and will tell Clytemnestra, Agamemnon’s wife. He rejoices at the news for it means his master will be coming home. Parodos or Entry of the Choros, who are Elders of Argos, counsellors to the Queen Regent. They chant about the expedition against Troy. The sons of Atreus (Agamemnon and Menelaus) are seen as birds whose nest has been robbed by the stealing of Helen. Par is who stole her thereby offended against Zeus, the God of the host and guest. With legal images the old men say that Paris will be punished. They themselves were too old to go to war ten years ago; like the old man in the Sphynx’s riddle they lean on staffs. Clytemnestra enters with slaves to make sacrifice at the altars; the choros ask her why sacrifices are being made but she ignores them and does not answer. The choros continue with the first Ode, a song about Aulis and what happened there, The omen of the pregnant hare attacked by the eagles: Calchas the prophet interpreted it to mean that Troy would fall but that the goddess...
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...Overall Summary Agamemnon begins with a Watchman on duty on the roof of the palace at Argos, waiting for a signal announcing the fall of Troy to the Greek armies. A beacon flashes, and he joyfully runs to tell the news to Queen Clytemnestra. When he is gone, the Chorus, made up of the old men of Argos, enters and tells the story of how the Trojan Prince Paris stole Helen, the wife of the Greek king Menelaus, leading to ten years of war between Greece and Troy. Then the Chorus recalls how Clytemnestra's husband Agamemnon (Menelaus' brother) sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia to the god Artemis to obtain a favorable wind for the Greek fleet. The Queen appears, and the Chorus asks her why she has ordered sacrifices of thanksgiving. She tells them that a system of beacons has brought word that Troy fell the previous night. The Chorus give thanks to the gods, but wonder if her news is true; a Herald appears and confirms the tidings, describing the army's sufferings at Troy and giving thanks for a safe homecoming. Clytemnestra sends him back to Agamemnon, to tell her husband to come swiftly, but before he departs, the Chorus asks him for news of Menelaus. The Herald replies that a terrible storm seized the Greek fleet on the way home, leaving Menelaus and many others missing. The Chorus sings of the terrible destructive power of Helen's beauty. Agamemnon enters, riding in his chariot with Cassandra, a Trojan Princess whom he has taken as his slave and concubine. Clytemnestra welcomes...
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...ANALYSIS OF AESCHYLUS’ AGAMEMNON Agamemnon concedes as a very disturbing in play, since he is a vicious man so killed the previous king of Argos for the throne and marry the daughter, which is Clytemnestra. The other reasons are the sacrifices of Iphigenia to Artemis, and I just can’t conceive of killing his blood relative and in some point he didn’t even think a mercy to his daughter. Then another one is admiring the half sister of Clytemnestra, which is Helen. The last one is that having an affair to his concubine, Cassandra. I cannot imagine that returning to Argos with his mistress and live it there but in other hand he has a wife. Therefore I consider him as a very disturbing in play. I think the highlight of the play is the sacrifice of Iphigenia to Artemis for the fair winds and safe trip. This is the emphasis of the play because the beginning of Clytemnestra’s anger to Agamemnon. I can’t even conceptualize what Agamemnon done to his daughter. He didn’t have the conscience killing an innocent daughter or kid. Being in relationship isn’t easy. There are moments when the relationship may be perfect, but suddenly it may turn sour. This thing occurs especially in marriage. I think the primary reasons are the misunderstanding can cause tension between partners. The other one is the lack of mutual trust when a partner does not trust the other partner, then he or she becomes too suspicious. And the last...
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...Agamemnon Agamemnon is a confusing tale of the people that are waiting for the soldiers to get home from the Trojan war. Most of the play is the chorus singing about many of the things that happened during the war. The play also shows the disrespect the men had for women in that time period. In front of Agamemnon's palace, a watchman wishes his shift would end. He is tired and wants to sleep but he must stay awake. He awaits news from Queen Clytemnestra. The Chorus of Argive elders enters, singing of the war. They sing of the gods, asking for them to help them win the war, and of the great army. They anxiously await the news from the Queen. In the song, they tell how Agamemnon killed his child. He sacrificed his daughter to Apollo so that Apollo would make the winds blow for his armies ships. The chorus thinks that deed was horrible, but had to be done for the good of the country. The leader asks Clytemnestra if she's heard any news. He doesn't like being ruled by a woman and treats her somewhat rudely. He only listens to her because of his loyalty to his King. She tells the leader that the army has taken Troy. The leader is skeptical and asks her to repeat herself several times. The Queen gets angry and tells him she is not a "credulous girl." When the leader asks how Clytemnestra found out the city was taken so quickly, she tells him that one God delivered the message to another and so on. He yet again asks her, which...
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...History 1002 Clytemnestra’s Speech In Aeschylus's Greek tragedy Oresteia, shortly before the murder of Agamemnon, his wife, Clytemnestra, makes a stirring speech upon his return. The speech is a deceitful foreshadowing of the events to come, rich in double entendres and images of loss and death. Clytemnestra is able to fool not only Agamemnon, but the Chorus over the course of her dubious speech using many techniques of deceit. Clytemnestra's treachery throughout her speech is evident through the use of images, metaphors, and equivocal and ambiguous phrases she uses to skillfully fool the Chorus in Aeschylus's Oresteia. Clytemnestra cleverly uses the equivocal properties inherent in language for her dastardly purpose. She employs several shrewd images that are misinterpreted by Agamemnon and the Chorus to be a proud and relieved homecoming for her husband’s return. At the beginning of her speech, Clytemnestra said that the "rumors she hears spreads like disease," invoking an image of rot and decay (Aeschylus, 863). Throughout the next few lines, she reports rumors that Agamemnon had "more holes in him than a net" and a "triple cloak of earth", while implying that he was a "second Geryon", or a monstrosity of a man (Aeschylus, 866-872). Clytemnestra says that the rumors that circulated around the city were so unbearable that she “had to be released against her will, from the noose of suicide, more than once” (Aeschylus, 874-875). Clytemnestra also boldly points out that Iphigenia...
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...The play Agamemnon by Aeschylus is a play written 2500 years ago in Greece, known for being one of the most tragic Greek plays of its time. It bases its background on Greek mythology with their gods. The play itself is named after one of the main characters, Agamemnon, king of Argos. There are two other main characters, Clytemnestra, queen of Argos and Cassandra, priestess of Troy and Agamemnon’s mistress. Agamemnon, king of Argos cares for his gods. He sacrificed what he could for them to be on his side. Ordered his own daughter’s death for the purpose of having a god by their side as they went to the ten year war against the Trojan’s. After the war, he was greeted with the finest purple carpet for him to walk on once he left his chariot, which he only walked on after a brief discussion with Clytemnestra and Cassandra. The purple carpet was believed to be a luxury for the gods and he was afraid to disrespect them. “And stepping thus upon the sea’s rich dye, I pray, Let none among the gods look down With jealous eye on me” (lines 1096-1098). He devoted all of his time and work to his gods and people. Cassandra, Trojan’s priestess is Agamemnon’s war prize, he brought her back with him after defeating Troy. Apollo (former lover) gave her the gift of prophecy but cursed her by making all around her disbelieve her predictions after she refused to bear him a child. Her last predictions were about Agamemnon and her own death, killed by Clytemnestra. “Lo, how the woman-thing...
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...Hamlet was more tragic in comparison to Agamemnon. The reason being is because in Hamlet Claudius is driven to kill his own brother, King Hamlet, just so he can marry his own sister-in-law. Hamlet is plotting to kill his own uncle and is speaks of his own mother in a hateful manner e:g Within a month, Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her gallèd eyes, She married. O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! A son is talking about her own mother like this and ...isn't an essay you were looking for? GET THAT PERFECT ONE starting from $7.50 per page only! YOUR E-MAIL ORDER NOW at the same time he has lost hope in life. Hamlet claims that he wants to die, if only suicide wasn’t forbidden by God. Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! So from the beginning of the play the protagonist is in a pitiful state. This was not the case with the protagonist of Agamemnon. In Hamlet the protagonist was driven to avenge his own father death and in the process ended up killing 4 innocent person. His own love of his live Ophelia, and mom, Queen Gertrude was killed by the poisonous drink which was meant for Hamlet. Ophelia’s father and brother ended up dead. In Agamemnon only two innocent lives were lost, Cassandra and Iphigenia. In my opinion i think Agamemnon deserved his tragic end. He had made many...
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...Agamemnon Justice And Vengeance. Justice delivers the just recompense or payment for wrongdoing or transgression of a law. Justice evokes the feeling of equality and fairness. Wrongs done – wrongs rewarded. In so doing we live life as law abiders and not law breakers and have a reasonable expectation of abiding in civility, and not rebellious mayhem. Vengeance, on the other hand, is the emotional response to a perceived wrong without regard for how it stands up against the rule of law. It can be acting in revenge. As Christians we are to respect the rule of law –God’s. We are to take our rightful place, no matter how difficult, behind the promise that God will exact the justice according to His knowledge and in his own time. Agamemnon Symbol For Justice The symbolism of nets is appropriate because it is a standard that presents itself as impartial. It offers no explanation of its reason for its existence. It works at the will of the one who secures it in its place. It is there to enforce the will of the one who has placed it where it is. Reference the quote by Clytemnestra “our never ending, all embracing net, I cast it.” It is HER will and her desire – the murderous net is cast by her. He may have been killed by her, but she is the one who is caught. Agamemnon Suffer For Truth Has Meaning I feel that Aeschylus is seeking wisdom or some sense of redemption in the suffering. If we are going to suffer, and let’s face it as humans we are going...
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...talk about three points about Agamemnon and Achilles including their feelings toward each other, why they had those feelings, and if Achilles and Agamemnon’s feelings ever changed. In the end this essay will also talk about if their feelings ever affected anyone or anything. But like I said the first thing we have to talk about is Achilles and Agamemnon’s feelings toward each other. I can’t wait! Let’s go! Achilles and Agamemnon hated each other. They had hatred towards each other, they didn’t care if one of them left, like in the book the Iliad Agamemnon said to Achilles “Fly off home then, if that’s your heart’s desire. I will not beg you to stay on my account. I have others around to honor me, especially all-wise Zeus himself.” But they shouldn’t hate each other because they are on the same side;...
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...Agamemnon- Personal Response Agamemnon is a play that takes place in the city of Argos while tying in places such as Troy. The three main characters of the play Agamemnon are Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Cassandra. Agamemnon is the tragic hero of the play, while Clytemnestra is the villainess, and Cassandra is the innocent. The play is encompassed by hubris, revenge and power. Hubris is associated with Agamemnon, power is linked with Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and finally Clytemnestra displays acts of revenge towards her husband. Clytemnestra displays acts of revenge towards him and Cassandra is the innocent war-prize Agamemnon claims after he defeats Troy. Agamemnon is the main character of this play. Agamemnon’s tragic flaw is his hunger for power. When he is back from war the entire city is at his palace’s doorstep to celebrate his home-coming but his wife is not. He gives in too soon into the script-writing of Clytemnestra. Although he allows himself to run through what is happening around him, he does not give it enough time to make the correct decisions. His head is held up too high not thinking of what exactly he is getting into. It is utter ignorance. Agamemnon giving up their daughter Iphengeia as sacrifice to god Apollo sticks with Clytemnestra and builds up as revenge towards Agamemnon. Agamemnon keeps his head held high and displays hubris through some of his actions which is illegal in the city of Argos. Agamemnon is the tragic hero of the play. When he was about...
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...The pride, rage, and ego of both Agamemnon and Achilles is so much they can never make an agreement and are continually arguing. They both believe they are better than the other, and always seem to find something to conflict about. The rivalry between Agamemnon and Achilles affects the conduct of the Trojan war because they make the war longer, they cause the killing of other men, and them hating each other causes more conflicts than the original reason the war even started. Agamemnon and Achilles make the war last longer than it was supposed to and they’re one of the reasons it took 10 years for someone to actually win. Achilles and Agamemnon make the war go longer because they were always arguing whether it was about women, who they were...
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...1, Agamemnon- (ag-uh-MEM-non) In the Greek legend, he was the king of Mycenae or Argos. When Paris (Alexandros), son of King Priam of Troy, carried off Helen, Agamemnon called on the princes of the country to unite in a war of revenge against the Trojans. 2, Alcinous- (al-KIN-oh-us) He was he King of Phaeacians, he was a happy ruler on the island of Scheria. He had five sons but only one daughter. 3, Amphinomus- (am-fin-o-muss) He was the son of King Nisos. He was to be considered as the best-behaved suitor. Amphinomus was killed by a speare. 4, Antinous- (an-TIN-oh-us) He was the son of Eupeithes, and he was an important suitor. He attempted to kill Telemachus but he fails. 5, Arete- (air-e-tea) She was queen of the Phaeacians, married...
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...The Truth behind the Mask of Agamemnon There are various debates when it comes to the authenticity of certain artworks. When determining the legitimacy of certain artworks, certain things that need to be taken into consideration, which is the case with The Mask of Agamemnon. The Mask of Agamemnon was a discovery by architect Heinrich Schliemann in Mycenae dated 1876. There have been various discussions in whether or not the mask is a fake. There has been sufficient evidence that supports this. Author Spencer Harrington, William Calder and David Traill examined how the mask of Agamemnon may be a fake, by including an overview of the Mask, questioning the faulty character of Schliemann, and the authenticity of the mask itself. Spencer Harrington author of “Behind the Mask of Agamemnon discussed the. Harrington stated that Schliemann was “supervised by Panagiotis Stamatakis, a conscientious Greek archaeologist who often accused Schliemann of destroying classical antiquities in his quest for Homeric remains.” Which raises questions of whether or not Schliemann’s work was for the preservation of Greek art or for the benefiting the “businessman-turned-archaeologist” (Harrington). The mask of Agem When it comes to the excavation of artwork individuals often judge the artwork to be real or fake based on the artwork itself, not taking into account the architects(s) whom excavated the art piece. Professor and author Calder did so by questioning the faulty character of Schliemann...
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...Embassies of Two Kings Agamemnon and Priam both send embassy to Achilles in order to convince him to return their desire by entering the war with the Greeks for Agamemnon and to return the body of Hector for Priam. Both Kings’ embassies were convincing, but only Priam succeeds to persuade Achilles to return Hector back. Agamemnon’s embassy to convince Achilles to return to the war alongside of the Greeks Army failed even when his fellow Greek and countrymen’s morale is slowly decreasing due to his leave and a plague that had struck their camp. Agamemnon failed to convince Achilles because in the beginning of Iliad, nine years after the beginning of the war, they had won a battle against the Trojans and had ransacked a Trojan town where the battle took place. In the book, Agamemnon, the chief commander of the Greek army had taken a woman Chryseis as a price of victory over the battle. On the other hand, Achillies, a fierce important warrior of the Greeks took Briseis as his price. What they later found out was that Chryseis, daughter of Chryses; a priest who serves the god Apollo. Chryses pleaded to Agamemnon to return his daughter back to her, but Agamemnon refuse to give back his prize, therefore leading Chryses to pray to Apollo to punish the Greek army with a plague. Agamemnon will have to send his prize Chryseis back to her father in order to lift the plague only if he could take Achillies’ prize Briseis. This move that Agamemnon took left rage in Achilles and threatens...
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...as I was reading The Iliad is how Chryses offered so many gifts as ransom in order to get his daughter back, but no matter what he offered or how much he begged, Agamemnon refused. He kept telling Chryses that he would not give her back. On page 78, Agamemnon states, “The girl- I won’t give up the girl.” One line that I thought was very powerful was when Agamemnon says to Chryses, “Now go, don’t tempt my wrath- and you may depart alive.” After hearing this, Chryses felt threatened and he obeyed what Agamemnon said. On page 79, Apollo sends a plague upon the Greek army and on this page it states, “he cut them down in droves- and the corpse-fires burned on, night and day, no end in sight.” I thought this was also a very powerful line and it was a line that stood out to me. One thing that stood out to me as I was reading The Iliad is how Chryses offered so many gifts as ransom in order to get his daughter back, but no matter what he offered or how much he begged, Agamemnon refused. He kept telling Chryses that he would not give her back. On page 78, Agamemnon states, “The girl- I won’t give up the girl.” One line that I thought was very powerful was when Agamemnon says to Chryses, “Now go, don’t tempt my wrath- and you may depart alive.” After hearing this, Chryses felt threatened and he obeyed what Agamemnon said. On page 79, Apollo sends a plague upon the Greek army and on this page it states, “he cut them down in droves- and the corpse-fires burned on, night and day...
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