The Oresteia is a reactionary text to the Iliad, with all of the traditional values presented in the Iliad reversed, allowing Aeschylus to critique former Greek life and celebrate the modern civilization he would have viewed as Athens. Aeschylus’ play would have been seen by the male citizens of Athens. In other words, Aeschylus’ play would have been seen by those with the most power and influence in Athens. One of the most notable Athenian traits was their hubristic view of their culture. They considered
Like many plays of the time, Aeschylus' Oresteia is a group of three tragedies that was written for a festival in Athens. However at the end of the third play, the Eumenides, there is no tragic ending, as Orestes survives the Furies and the curse is broken. All three plays, however, concern serious themes that create drama and intensity for Ancient Athenian audiences, that make them not only miserable but angry as well. Typically after these three very serious and sad plays, there would be a sort
In Oresteia, a series of plays by Aeschylus, the relationship between the old and new is portrayed. The plot of “The Eumenides” revolves around the conflict of how Orestes should be judged on his action of killing his mother. The Furies represent the older generation of Gods, who want Orestes convicted and punished for breaking the sacred tie between his mother and himself, a blood bond. Apollo, a young God, wants Orestes to be free, stating that Orestes action were justified because his mother killed
Aeschylus was a pioneer of theatre and directed many of his own productions. He is credited with adding a second speaking actor into his plays. This was a major innovation, greatly increasing the number of situations which could be presented; especially if each actor portrayed multiple characters, as soon became the custom. He also involved the chorus directly in the action of the play. The immediate effect of these changes was felt in the development of the visual form of the dramatic presentation
Ariana Saunders Masculinity vs. Femininity in Eumenides “Oresteia” Masculinity vs. Femininity in Eumenides “Oresteia” Ariana Saunders In this essay I will examine the manner of differences in Masculinity vs. Femininity taking place in The Eumenides, final play of The “Oresteia”. The conspiracy of The Eumenides puts Orestes and Apollo (assemblies of the male gods and male values in general) against the ghost of Clytemnestra and the Fury (equally assemblies of female values.) More conclusively
relations of women in Agamemnon and the Oresteia Anthony shillingford This thesis will provide a general overview of women throughout Agamemnon and discuss gender roles throughout the story. I will examine the way in which overall character portrayal is depicted in Aeschylus Agamemnon. I will provide an argument in which the tools he uses depicts his work and shows that women go against the gender roles. Also presenting prevalent work from the Oresteia. “We keep hetaerae for the sake of pleasure
side” (Aeschylus 151). Hence the matricide in vengeance of a woman’s killing of her husband is justified in Athena’s chronology, which roots in her childbirth from her father’s head. As a goddess, she denies her mother and supports the patriarchy, which ultimately imposes more masculine favor. The world Aeschylus presents in his play, or the real world that he portrays, builds on a subjection of females. As Froma Zeitlin states in "The Dynamics of Misogyny: Myth and Mythmaking in the Oresteia": “The
In Ancient Greece, if someone murdered a family member of yours, it was your duty to kill the murderer. This duty led to a cycle of violence between and within families, as shown in The Oresteia, written by Aeschylus. In his trilogy, many characters are in this cycle, but Orestes works through the justice system differently as he shows the movement from the cycle of violence to a more civilized form of a justice system, as demonstrated by the court system. Orestes is the son of Agamemnon and
In Aeschylus’ play Oresteia, Orestes exacted revenge on his mother Clytemnestra by murdering her for killing his father Agamemnon. Clytemnestra was furious with Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter in order to get good winds from the goddess Artemis during the Trojan War. The exchange between Artemis and Agamemnon also shows how cruel the gods can be, but at the same time shows the selfish mannerisms of the mortals as Agamemnon gave up his daughter so easily. The relationship between the gods
As the Persian wars conclude the rise of the city-state of Athens begins, and ultimately sparks the beginning of democracy. In the play, The Oresteia, Aeschylus, the author, is essentially concerned with the aspect of justice. Throughout the complete trilogy, the greeks advance from a traditional and more primitive form of justice, to a new concept of cordial justice formulated by Athena, the goddess of reason. For the House of Atreus, this justice was no longer a personal responsibility to be executed