Write in brief about Aeschylus’s gods and goddesses
Agamemnon is a notable literary work by Aeschylus. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Agamemnon.
Answer
Write in brief about Aeschylus’s gods and goddesses. [NU: 2018]
Aeschylus (525/524–456/455 BCE), the father of Greek tragedy, presents gods and goddesses with strong influence over human life. In “Agamemnon” (458 BCE), he shows them as controllers of fate, punishers of sins, and guardians of justice. Their presence guides human destiny throughout the play.
Zeus and Justice: Zeus is the god of law and divine order. He stands for justice above human power. The Chorus praises Zeus as the teacher of wisdom through suffering. His law ensures that sin is punished. As the Chorus says,
“The man who sins is sinned against.”
Artemis and Sacrifice: Artemis plays a cruel but vital role in the war. She demands the sacrifice of Iphigenia to give the Greeks favorable winds for Troy. Agamemnon obeys, killing his daughter. This shows divine power controlling human action. Artemis represents divine will above family love.
Furies and Revenge: Another important group is the Furies. They represent revenge and hereditary guilt. They punish crimes within families and keep the cycle of blood alive. Aeschylus presents them as dark but necessary forces in human life.
Cassandra’s Vision: Cassandra speaks of the gods when she prophesies destruction. She sees the curse on the House of Atreus and says,
“A house that hates the gods… ”
This shows divine anger ruling human fate.
Thus, in Aeschylus, gods and goddesses are everywhere. They guide human fate, demand sacrifices, punish sins, and make people suffer to learn wisdom. Their presence gives the plays a moral and religious depth.