Aeschylus
was a Greek playwright who lived in Athens in the 5th century BCE. He is known
as the "Father of Tragedy" and is credited with introducing several
innovations to the art of Greek tragedy, including the use of a second actor and
the incorporation of dialogue between characters. He wrote over 80 plays, but
only seven have survived intact, including the famous Oresteia trilogy.
Agamemnon is the first play in the Oresteia
trilogy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus. It tells the story of King
Agamemnon, who returns home to Argos after ten years of war in Troy. Upon his
return, he is greeted by his wife Clytemnestra, who has been plotting revenge
against him for sacrificing their daughter Iphigenia to the gods before he left
for war. Clytemnestra, along with her lover Aegisthus, murders Agamemnon and
takes control of the kingdom.
The play explores the themes of revenge,
justice, and the consequences of actions. It raises questions about the
morality of war and the role of women in society. The character of Clytemnestra
is complex, as she is both a grieving mother seeking justice for her daughter
and a vengeful wife seeking retribution for her husband's actions. The play
ends with the chorus calling for the intervention of the gods to restore order
and balance to the world.
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