Can Agamemnon’s Murder be Justified?
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, to various questions of Agamemnon.
Answer
Can Agamemnon’s murder be justified?
The murder of Agamemnon in Aeschylus’s (525/524–456/455 BC) “Agamemnon” (458 BC) can be seen as an act of revenge, but whether it is justified is a complex issue. Clytemnestra, his wife, commits the murder mainly because of a few reasons. First, she avenges the death of her daughter, Iphigenia, whom Agamemnon sacrificed to win the Trojan War. Second, Clytemnestra is having an affair with Agamemnon’s cousin, Aegisthus. Clytemnestra’s extra-martial affair corrupts her motive.
Justification through Clytemnestra’s Perspective: Clytemnestra argues that her act is fair revenge. She says,
He slew his child, my love, my flower of pain, …
This quote shows her deep pain and the motive behind her actions. She believes Agamemnon’s death is the only way to pay back for the wrongs he has done to her and their daughter.
The Case Against Justification: However, some may argue that Clytemnestra’s actions are unjustified. Agamemnon was fulfilling his duty as a leader during the war, and even though his decisions were harsh, he did them for what he believed was the greater good. The murder becomes more about Clytemnestra’s vengeance rather than justice for Iphigenia. Moreover, Clytemnestra’s other motive could be her extra-martial affair with Aegisthus.
Revenge is Never a Justice: Clytemnestra’s killing of Agamemnon raises the question of whether revenge can ever be a true form of justice. While she believes it is fair, others might see it as another act of violence that continues a cycle of bloodshed. In Aeschylus’ trilogy “The Oresteia” (This trilogy consists of three plays: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides), Agamemnon’s son Orestes will return to take revenge on Clytemnestra and Aegisthus. It is revealed in Cassandra’s prophecy:
Another man will come and will avenge us, a son who’ll kill his mother, then pay back his father’s death,
The play highlights the tragic consequences of revenge.
In conclusion, Agamemnon’s murder can be understood as revenge. However, Clytemnestra’s actions are less justified because her affair with Aeigusthis corrupts her motive.