Oresteia lecture 2006 reduced size

Retribution and Order in Aeschylus’ Oresteia: 

Retribution and Order in Aeschylus’ Oresteia Michael J. Anderson Directed Studies Literature October 5, 2006

Outline: 

Outline Introduction The Sack of Troy as a monumental example of retaliation The Administration of justice The Costs of justice Motivation for justice Clytemnestra’s Murder of Agamemnon The Restoration of order The Restoration of the family in the Libation Bearers The Establishment of the Areopagus court and the cult of the Eumenides Greek tragedy and Athens

Agamemnon justifies his victory: 

Agamemnon justifies his victory To Argos first, and to the gods within the land, I must give due greeting; they have worked with me to bring me home; they helped me in the vengeance [justice] I have wrought on Priam's city. Not from the lips of men the gods heard justice, but in one firm cast they laid their votes within the urn of blood that Ilium must die and all her people; while above the opposite vase the hand hovered and there was hope, but no vote fell. Agamemnon 810-17

Naples Ilioupersis Hydria (Vivenzio Hydria): 

Naples Ilioupersis Hydria (Vivenzio Hydria) Attic red-figure hydria, c. 480 BC, Naples

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Ilioupersis cup in the Getty Museum: 

Ilioupersis cup in the Getty Museum Attic red-figure cup, 500-490 BC, J. Paul Getty Museum

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Clytemnestra imagines sacrilege at Troy.: 

Clytemnestra imagines sacrilege at Troy. And if they reverence the gods who hold the city and all the holy temples of the captured land, they, the despoilers, might not be despoiled in turn. Let not their passions overwhelm them; let no lust seize on these men to violate what they must not. The run to safety and home is yet to make; they must turn the pole, and run the backstretch of the double course. 338-44

The Herald reports the storm.: 

The Herald reports the storm. But, carrying the fair message of our hopes’ salvation, come home to a glad city’s hospitality, how shall I mix my gracious news with foul, and tell of the storm on the Achaeans by God’s anger sent? 646-49

The chorus recalls the sacrifice of Iphigeneia.: 

The chorus recalls the sacrifice of Iphigeneia. Pouring then to the ground her saffron mantle she struck the sacrificers with the eyes’ arrrows of pity, lovely as in a painted scene, and striving to speak—as many times at the kind festive table of her father she had sung, and in the clear voice of a stainless maiden with love had graced the song of worship when the third cup was poured. 239-47

Necessity’s yoke: 

Necessity’s yoke But when necessity’s yoke was put upon him he changed, and from the heart the breath came bitter and sacrilegious, utterly infidel, to warp a will now to be stopped at nothing. 218-21

Losses suffered by the families of the warriors.: 

Losses suffered by the families of the warriors. Such have the sorrows been in the house by the hearthside; such have there been, and yet there are worse than these. In all Hellas, for those who swarmed to the host the heartbreaking misery shows in the house of each. Many are they who are touched at the heart by these things. Those they sent forth they knew; now, in the place of the young men urns and ashes are carried home to the houses of the fighters. The god of war, money changer of dead bodies, held the balance of his spear in the fighting, and from the corpse-fires at Ilium sent to their dearest the dust heavy and bitter with tears shed packing smooth the urns with ashes that once were men. They praise them through their tears, how this man knew well the craft of battle, how another went down splendid in the slaughter: and all for some strange woman. 427-48

The Citizens’ discontent: 

The Citizens’ discontent Thus they mutter in secrecy, and the slow anger creeps below their grief at Atreus’ sons and their quarrels. 449-51 The citizens speak: their voice is dull with hatred. The curse of the people must be paid for. 456-57

Cltaemestra invites Agamemnon to walk on the carpets.: 

Cltaemestra invites Agamemnon to walk on the carpets. Now, my beloved one, step from your chariot; yet let not your foot, my lord, sacker of Ilium, touch the earth. My maidens there! Why this delay? Your task has been appointed you, to strew the ground before his feet with tapestries. Let there spring up into the house he never hoped to see, where Justice leads him in, a crimson path. In all things else, my heart’s unsleeping care shall act with the gods’ aid to set aright what fate ordained. 905-13

Clytaemestra justifies her act.: 

Clytaemestra justifies her act. He filled our cup with evil things unspeakable and now himself come home has drunk it to the dregs 1397-98 With the sword he struck, with the sword he paid for his own act 1529-30

Clytaemestra’s delight in vengeance: 

Clytaemestra’s delight in vengeance And as he died he spattered me with the dark red and violent driven rain of bitter savored blood to make me glad, as gardens stand among the showers of God in glory at the birthtime of the buds. 1389-92

Clytaemestra describes Cassandra.: 

Clytaemestra describes Cassandra. a delicate excitement to my bed’s delight 1447

Electra appeals to Orestes as father, mother, sister, and brother.: 

Electra appeals to Orestes as father, mother, sister, and brother. O dearest treasured darling of my father’s house, hope of the seed of our salvation, wept for, trust your strength of hand, and win your father’s house again. O bright beloved presence, you bring back four lives to me. To call you father is constraint of fact, and all the love I could have borne my mother turns your way, while she is loathed as she deserves; my love for a pitilessly slaughtered sister turns to you. And now you were my steadfast brother after all. You alone bring me honor; but let Force, and Right, and Zeus almighty, third with them, be on your side. Libation Bearers 235-45

Electra condemns Clytaemestra as no true mother. : 

Electra condemns Clytaemestra as no true mother. Pity me; pity your own Orestes. How shall we be lords in our house? We have been sold, and go as wanderers because our mother bought herself, for us, a man, Aegisthus, he who helped her hand to cut you down. 130-34 She never could have cut it, she who murdered him and is my mother, but no mother in her heart which has assumed God’s hate and hates her children. No. 198-91

The Watchman’s orders: 

The Watchman’s orders to such end a lady’s male strength of heart in its high confidence ordains. Agamemnon 10-11

Cassandra likens Clytaemestra to a monster.: 

Cassandra likens Clytaemestra to a monster. What can I call her and be right? What beast of loathing? Viper double-fanged, or Scylla witch holed in the rocks and bane of men that range the sea. 1232-34

Clytaemestra leaves politics to the men.: 

Clytaemestra leaves politics to the men. But if you have some higher business, more a matter of state, that is the men’s concern, and I will tell them of it. Libation Bearers 671-73

Ode on women who slew male kin: 

Ode on women who slew male kin See Libation Bearers 585-651.