A Comprehensive Study Guide for Aeschylus' Agamemnon

Aeschylus' Agamemnon is one of the most important and influential works of Greek tragedy. It is the first play in the Oresteia trilogy, which also includes The Libation Bearers and The Eumenides. Agamemnon tells the story of the homecoming of the Greek king Agamemnon after the Trojan War. The play is full of violence, passion, and suspense, and it explores the themes of justice, revenge, and the consequences of war.

This study guide will provide you with a detailed analysis of Agamemnon. It will cover the play's characters, plot, themes, and language. It will also provide helpful tips for studying the play and writing essays about it.

Agamemnon is a complex and tragic figure. He is a powerful king and a skilled warrior, but he is also arrogant and proud. His pride leads to his downfall when he angers the gods by sacrificing his daughter Iphigenia.

Study Guide for Aeschylus's Agamemnon (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Celena S.

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1029 KB
Print length	:	28 pages
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Clytemnestra is Agamemnon's wife. She is a strong and ambitious woman who has been waiting for Agamemnon's return for ten years. She is also full of resentment and anger towards him for sacrificing their daughter.

Cassandra is a Trojan princess who has been captured by the Greeks. She is a prophetess who can see the future, but her prophecies are always ignored. She warns Agamemnon of his impending death, but he does not believe her.

The play begins with a watchman on the roof of Agamemnon's palace. He has been waiting for Agamemnon's return for ten years, and he is finally rewarded when he sees the king's ships approaching. The watchman rushes to tell Clytemnestra the news, and she is overjoyed.

Agamemnon returns home to a hero's welcome. He is greeted by Clytemnestra and their children, and he is given a lavish feast. However, the celebration is cut short when Clytemnestra reveals that she has been unfaithful to Agamemnon during his absence. Agamemnon is furious, and he vows to kill Clytemnestra and her lover.

Before Agamemnon can carry out his threat, he is murdered by Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus. Clytemnestra then reveals that she has been planning Agamemnon's death for years. She has been driven by her resentment and anger towards him for sacrificing their daughter.

The play ends with the chorus of elders lamenting Agamemnon's death. They fear that his murder will lead to a cycle of violence and revenge.

Agamemnon explores a number of important themes, including:

• Justice and revenge: The play explores the theme of justice and revenge through the story of Agamemnon's murder. Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon in revenge for his sacrifice of their daughter. However, the chorus of elders warns that Clytemnestra's act of revenge will only lead to a cycle of violence and bloodshed.
• The consequences of war: The play also explores the theme of the consequences of war. Agamemnon's decision to sacrifice his daughter in order to win the Trojan War leads to his downfall. The war also has a devastating impact on the city of Troy and its people.
• The power of fate: The play also explores the theme of the power of fate. The characters in Agamemnon are all subject to the whims of the gods, and their actions are often determined by forces beyond their control.

Aeschylus' Agamemnon is written in a highly stylized and poetic language. The play is full of vivid imagery and metaphors, and the language is often very dense and complex. However, the play's language is also very effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and suspense.

Here are a few tips for studying Agamemnon:

• Read the play carefully: The first step to studying Agamemnon is to read the play carefully. Pay attention to the characters, plot, themes, and language.
• Take notes: As you read the play, take notes on the important points. This will help you to remember the play's details and to identify its key themes.
• Discuss the play with others: Discussing the play with others can help you to understand it more deeply. Talk about the characters, plot, themes, and language with your classmates, friends, or family members.
• Write about the play: Writing about the play can help you to process your thoughts and to develop your own interpretations. Try writing an essay about one of the play's themes or characters.

Aeschylus' Agamemnon is a complex and challenging play, but it is also one of the most important and influential works of Greek tragedy. This study guide has provided you with a detailed analysis of the play's characters, plot, themes, and language. It has also provided helpful tips for studying the play and writing essays about it. I hope that this study guide will help you to understand and appreciate Agamemnon more fully.

Study Guide for Aeschylus's Agamemnon (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Celena S.

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1029 KB
Print length	:	28 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE