Agamemnon
Women audiences have many opinions in relation to this play. One opinion is that the society is very unfair. The society I built in a way that men benefit more than women did. Men lead while women to follow. This disparity has made men take the opportunity to abuse the rights and privileges that they have in the society. Women audiences have the opinion that men are abusive in nature. This occurs when Agamemnon abuses his privileges as a father and as a head of a family by sacrificing his daughter to the gods. Their reaction to this is that they dislike this selfish and murderous act.
Women that watch the play are of the opinion that it is only normal that Clytemnestra acted they way he did. Women support her decision to kill her husband and Cassandra. They justify this fact by viewing the act as a way to seek justice. They do not seem to be surprised when she kills both her husband and Cassandra. This reaction suggests that many of them would have acted the same way if they were in Clytemnestra’s shoes. Justice occurs when those who transgress suffer. Those who seek justice by taking vengeance will also transgress and suffer. The Agamemnon, however, reveals to us that taking of revenge is the only way that people can seek justice. The chorus (Hymn to Zeus) tells us that vengeance is the answer. All men will learn from the suffering that they face. From the chorus, it is evident that the gods show concern about the affairs of human beings. Their concern does not come because they are jealous of humans but because human beings or their ancestors have violated the laws of justice.
Think you-this very morn-the Greeks in Troy, And loud therein the voice of utter wail!
Within one cup pour vinegar and oil, And look! unblent, unreconciled, they war.
So in the twofold issue of the strife Mingle the victor’s shout, the captives’ moan. For all the conquered whom the sword has spared (Aeschylus). Clytemnestra is happy that the Greek army has conquered Troy
The Greek people view that the fall of the troy kingdom is because of receiving justice, yet they know well that the manner in which the war conducted suggests inhumanity and injustice. The author of the Agamemnon-Aeschylus-gives out a warning that an excuse of a just war should not serve as an excuse of enacting double penalty to the people that had committed injustice. It is clear that Agamemnon does not treat other human beings with humanity but instead treats them inhumanly for his quest for justice. This is also the case with Clytemnestra when she kills both Cassandra and Agamemnon.
The women audiences support the concept of justice and revenge. They believe that a heavenly being exists to protect all human kind against injustice. By doing this, the heavenly beings restore justice and peace. Heaven sends the vengeful fiends of hell. Even so doth Zeus, the jealous lord. And guardian of the hearth and board, Speed Atreus’ sons, in vengeful ire, ‘Gainst Paris-sends them forth on fire (Aeschylus). These lines from the chorus show us that the gods take part in human affairs by bringing justice into the world.
Women audiences that watched the play dispute the way men portray women in the play. The Greek people were the first persons in the world to question the responsibility of women in the world. The female audience suggest that women should not e discriminated based on gender. They argue that women are able to do just about anything that men can do. In the Agamemnon, it is clear that Clytemnestra bitter and angered towards the death of her daughter. She resents those that will not believe that Agamemnon killed their daughter just because of the sole reason that she is a woman. Through this theme, however, it is crucial to note that for a woman to kill a man this is against the norm and nature.
Women audiences of the play suggest that something needs to occur in order to safeguard the rights of women. They support that opinion that society needs to change in order to protect women from suffering. Their reaction to the murder of Clytemnestra’s daughter is that of anger and disbelief. They cannot understand why a father would kill his own daughter. This theme states that the human race is fragile and subject to sufferings and negativities in the world. Through this theme and the Agamemnon, we see that women suffer more as compared to men. This is because the men lead in the society and the women follow. From a woman’ perspective, it is crucial to note that women are the weak being in society. This depicted when Agamemnon captures Cassandra to use her as her personal slave and concubine. Cassandra’s last words before she died clearly summarize this theme of human suffering and fragility.
The women audiences that have watched the play argue that men in the society should look into how they treat women. Men should treat women with respect. Men should ensure and help women uphold their dignity. Their opinion is that it is wrong for men to use women as sex toys. This text depicts this when Agamemnon enslaves Cassandra. The women audiences argue that for women to act and commit an act such as Clytemnestra then it is likely that a man has wronged her. Agamemnon had wronged Clytemnestra by killing their daughter as a sacrifice to the gods. Clytemnestra lives in a world where people praise women for acting like men. The society, however, does not allow women to show the courage and strength for avenging the wrongs done to them.
The guard in the palace praises Clytemnestra as a woman with knowledge capacity of men. This act, according to the women audiences is a good act since the guard appreciates the wisdom that Clytemnestra has. They chorus, however, honors her only because she is the life of the king. This, according to the audience is wrong. Their reason for this is that people should not try to link a woman’s success or wisdom to a man. Their opinion is that women are capable of achieving things on their own. This shows just how hard women live in a society where men lead. Her bitterness occurs because she constantly refers herself as a mere woman living in a man’s world. Homer mentions that Clytemnestra is a wayward wife. It not clear of the conditions that led to her being an adulterous wife, but this shows her nature. The play portrays Clytemnestra as a victim to circumstances, which leads her to commit serious offences. These offenses include the murder of the king Agamemnon and the princess of troy (Cassandra).
The chorus, however, leads us to sympathize with her since her husband killed their only daughter as a sacrifice. The women audiences cannot understand why a father would kill his own daughter for a cause that is not worthy. This clearly angers her, which also prompts her to kill Agamemnon and Cassandra. The women audiences justify this act by stating that Clytemnestra was acting out of emotions for losing her own daughter. In the beginning of the play, Clytemnestra comes out as a good person who believes the gods will protect the Greek army and bring them back home safely. Things start to change when Agamemnon returns home rudely with a slave and concubine. This shows of how men treat the women in the society. The theme of infidelity comes out. Both Agamemnon and her wife Clytemnestra are not faithful to each other. Clytemnestra sleeps with Agamemnon’s cousin while Agamemnon takes Cassandra as a concubine.
The women audiences do not like it when men look down upon them. Women, especially those in the current times believe that they can perform all that men can. Women believe that they should not be subject to discrimination on the grounds of gender. Women believe that they have the same intellectual capacity like men. There should not be any discrimination in the world. Males and females have dissimilar roles in society. These roles are what differentiate women from men. Men should not discriminate women based on gender. It is correct that males are stronger than females. This should not be a factor making them discriminate against women. From the woman’s perspective, they want men to treat them fairly and equally. While considering the events that took place in the play, it is crucial to understand that women are capable of doing what men can do.
