The line of Tantalus is cursed through evil deeds and the destruction of the innocent. As Dr. Mashburn said in class, it began with Tantalus eating his son Pelops and continued through the generations. Not only did it continue, but it got worse as revenge tormented the victims. Lines 1628 and 1629 of Agamemnon say “He picks at the flesh he cannot recognize, the soul of innocence eating the food of ruin” This is talking about the time Atreus tricked his brother Thyestes into eating his own children. I love this quote because it really makes me think. I’m still not sure if I have the meaning right but it seems to me that it could refer to Thyestes pure intentions changing at that moment to revenge, which his son Aegisthus will later commit. As the generations continue they spin more and more out of control. The gods enter the tussle, which always makes everything worse, and choose sides. Artemis helps Clytemnestra kill her husband to avenge her innocent daughter, which angers Apollo who convinces Orestes to kill his mother. The theme of innocence continues through “Agamemnon” to “Eumenides” as Athena tries Orestes against the Furies. It is a hard choice that she has to make. Is it still a crime to kill the guilty? Or is Orestes innocent?
Ps. I commented on Will's post
No comments:
Post a Comment