Agamemnon pt 1: Pop Culture, Death, and Mistrust Sophia Colbert
First of all, I couldn't help but notice that the characters in the play make several "pop cultural" references in their dialogues. Greek myths are constantly mentioned. To those who have little to no familiarity with Greek mythology, many of the lines seem out of place, such as the lines about the Gorgon's eye or Artemis feeding the helpless cubs. However, to the ancient audience, this was common knowledge. Everyone in ancient Greece knew their mythology, just like I'm 98% confident everyone reading this post is familiar with the Marvel movie franchise.
Second, my prediction is that everyone is going to die. This play is a tragedy, so it's kind of expected. Also, the chorus of old men keeps emphasizing that no one can escape justice. Agamemnon killed his daughter to gain the favor of the gods, so we know this won't end well for him. Clytaemnestra has been longing for his return for ten years, but when she greets him she makes him walk on tapestries of red, the color of blood, symbolizing that perhaps she hasn't forgiven him for killing their daughter and that she is going to make him pay for it. I doubt justice would let her get away with that. We don't know much about Cassandra yet except that she is a prize Agamemnon brought back from the war, but I think she'll wind up dead either by suicide or murder. Perhaps the gods will smite the entire city for Agamemnon's war crimes. I have no idea what to expect from this play, so really anything could happen and I would be surprised.
Third, I'm getting a sense of disrespect for authority and mistrust throughout this play. The leader doesn't believe the queen's words that Troy has been taken, the chorus chants ominous words of doom for the sacrifice of the virgin, the queen is passive aggressive towards Agamemnon, and Agamemnon disapproves of her greeting. I have a feeling that things could only get worse as the play goes on. I wonder why the rich Greeks watched stuff like this for entertainment.
P.S. I commented on Zelda and Michael's posts.
Second, my prediction is that everyone is going to die. This play is a tragedy, so it's kind of expected. Also, the chorus of old men keeps emphasizing that no one can escape justice. Agamemnon killed his daughter to gain the favor of the gods, so we know this won't end well for him. Clytaemnestra has been longing for his return for ten years, but when she greets him she makes him walk on tapestries of red, the color of blood, symbolizing that perhaps she hasn't forgiven him for killing their daughter and that she is going to make him pay for it. I doubt justice would let her get away with that. We don't know much about Cassandra yet except that she is a prize Agamemnon brought back from the war, but I think she'll wind up dead either by suicide or murder. Perhaps the gods will smite the entire city for Agamemnon's war crimes. I have no idea what to expect from this play, so really anything could happen and I would be surprised.
Third, I'm getting a sense of disrespect for authority and mistrust throughout this play. The leader doesn't believe the queen's words that Troy has been taken, the chorus chants ominous words of doom for the sacrifice of the virgin, the queen is passive aggressive towards Agamemnon, and Agamemnon disapproves of her greeting. I have a feeling that things could only get worse as the play goes on. I wonder why the rich Greeks watched stuff like this for entertainment.
P.S. I commented on Zelda and Michael's posts.
I like your prediction even though it is a little bit morbid. Although I have a slight twist to your theory, I think everyone but one person will die. I think that Clytaemnestra is going to be the last one standing. I'm not even sure why it is just a gut feeling that I have that she will somehow outsmart everyone. We will have to just keep reading to find out who is right. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy did the Greeks watch plays like this? Aristotle would say because it is cathartic. Watching a play, specifically a tragedy, gives you a chance to live out these events through the characters and think through how you would respond. It's a way to release pent-up emotion and prevent people from actually following through on their desires (or so Aristotle says). We watch shows like this today. Think about it. There are several movies where people are dishonest with each other, where they mask their true feelings with a smile. Scandal, murder, war, death, etc. are all present in modern movies and TV shows. We still watch them. In that way, we are much the same as the ancient Greeks.
ReplyDeleteReading this post, I notice mostly what you said about Cassandra. I do believe in the end she will be killed in some way. The queen did not forgive her husband for killing their daughter, which is understandable. She was angry and wanted to take revenge. But, knowing she was upset, he brings a concubine back to his home. Quite frankly, I would be quite upset to. I think Agamemnon has it coming and Cassandra just happens to fall in the cross fire. I am curious to see what ends up happening to all of them. However, I am mostly curious to see if any punishment is taking out on Clytemnestra. Will she be punished because of the murders she commits, or will it be overlooked because she is queen?
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