Agamemnon and Its Revealing Themes

A few themes particularly jumped out at me in Agamemnon. Here are some major ones that I couldn’t help but notice.

The most interesting dynamic in Agamemnon, to me, is the effect of the past on the present, and on the future. Every part of this book is the result of some event in the past. It surprised me how numerously the book referred to Helen, even though she is not at all a character in the book. Many times the chorus refers to her either directly or in metaphor, (my favorite is “the lion cub” we discussed in class). Now, some of you may say, “Of course she is in the book, because this book is closely tied to the Iliad.” I still think it’s interesting that she is a common reference. Could the story go on without referencing to her as much as it does? Helen is kind of an important figure in the story although she is never present in the story. She is an indirect, side character, yet she is a reference point in the story. Including her in the story makes the story even more intense.

I also find it very interesting that Clytemnestra is Helen’s sister. What a cool dynamic to a story! It’s interesting to me that “sisters” ended up serving vengeance to “brothers.” Here we are again, the past rebounds to effect the present, and future. Menelaus and Agamemnon both, are paying for what they’re father did to Thyestes.

These thoughts lead me to the huge theme of vengeance. The story of Agamemnon is essentially about vengeance. First of all, Clytemnestra kills Agamemnon in revenge, for sacrificing their daughter. Secondly, the whole story of Agamemnon, and the Trojan Wars, happens because the House of Atreus is being punished for killing the innocent. Thirdly, Cassandra never receives the benefit of being believed because of Apollo’s vengeance.

Vengeance, vengeance, vengeance… revenge, revenge, revenge, this is such a central theme in Agamemnon! What would the story be without it? I have a hard time trying to choose the good between the bad. Sadly though, this is the way our world is also. Just like any good piece of literature, Agamemnon merely reflects human nature to make the issue wide open to our eyes.

P.S. I commented on Samantha's post.