Agamemnon : Themes
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.
Themes
Themes
Revenge: Revenge is the driving force in Agamemnon. Clytemnestra takes revenge on her husband for sacrificing their daughter, Iphigenia. But this revenge is not merely personal; it is also part of the long-standing curse on the family. By killing Agamemnon, Clytemnestra believes she has established justice. Yet this act of revenge only brings about another, as Orestes later avenges his father by killing his mother. The play shows how difficult it is to break free from the cycle of revenge.
War: The background of the play is the end of the Trojan War. The victorious Agamemnon returns to Argos, but war brings not only triumph but also devastation. The Chorus reflects that although Troy was destroyed, countless Greek soldiers were killed, and many families were left in grief. War represents not just heroism but also human suffering, bloodshed, and destructive forces. The play teaches that victory comes at a terrible cost.
Fate: Fate appears as an unstoppable force in the play. Agamemnon’s downfall was destined and could not be avoided. His act of walking on the purple carpet was considered arrogance, but in truth, it was a step directed by fate. Cassandra foretells the tragic future, but no one believes her, since fate is already fixed. The play demonstrates that no one is free from the laws of the gods and the rules of fate.
Pride (Hubris): Agamemnon’s pride leads to his downfall. After the victory at Troy, he accepts honors fit for the gods and walks upon the purple carpet, a clear act of hubris. In Greek tragedy, pride always invites destruction. Clytemnestra, too, has pride; she considers herself an agent of justice, while in reality, she is a murderer. The play shows how pride drives people toward their own ruin.
Hereditary Guilt: Agamemnon is not just about the murder of a king; it is the story of the curse on the entire House of Atreus. In a previous generation, Atreus tricked his brother Thyestes into eating the flesh of his own children. From this horrific crime began the chain of blood-debt and curse. Aegisthus, son of Thyestes, becomes part of this curse and helps bring about Agamemnon’s downfall. The play demonstrates how the crimes of ancestors continue to shape and destroy the lives of future generations.