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Agamemnon: The Role Of Vengeance In Oresteia

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In the play the libation bearers of the Oresteia trilogy, there arises vengeance that transfers over from the play Agamemnon. There is a celebrated meeting in the play where Electra meets her long lost brother Orestes for the first time. Nevertheless, this is a story of tragedy, because they have to kill their mother. In Greek justice Orestes has the right to kill his mother for the killing of his father. He will question his rights and actions to actually kill his mother. The impact of vengeance in the play only leads to more anger and revenge. Several years after the king Agamemnon was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra, the man she had a relationship with was Aigisthos. His son Orestes returns home with Pylades to grieve his father’s death. …show more content…

He has not seen her since childhood. This is a joyful reunion, but Electra explains to Orestes why their mother has sent her to their father’s grave. Clytemnestra wants her daughter to deliver libations to Agamemnon in faith that this will bring silence to the cause of her nightmares. They are heartened through the chorus, the two discuss how much they care for their father and how much hatred they have for their mother. Orestes and Electra pray to summon the spirit of their father Agamemnon to come to their assistance in their quest for revenge. "O Zeus! Grant me vengeance for my father's death! Be my ally if you will!" (The Libation Bearers, LL …show more content…

She wants him to make up a story about why he is in Argos and at the palace. He says he is a messenger and bears bad news about the death of Orestes. Clytemnestra cries and asks Cilissa, who is Orestes's childhood nurse to inform Aigisthos of the bad news and bring his body guards. The chorus interrupts by stopping Clytemnestra's message and informs Cilissa to require Aigisthos to come without his guards. She does not comprehend why the chorus appears so pleased. She assumes that Orestes is dead and Cilissa does obey her orders. Aigisthos appears on stage briefly, but after that he goes back into the palace with Orestes. His murder is declared by his servant, who shouts out for Clytemnestra to come and see what is

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