Violence Begets Violence
Dakota Parnell
A big theme that keeps popping up in ancient literature is that of revenge. We saw this in Agamemnon. What justifies revenge though? It seems in this entire story is nothing but murder after murder. If we seemed to agree that Agamemnon was guilty and deserved to be killed, is Orestes justified for wanting revenge? I think this leads back to the question is revenge justice? While he can be justified in revenge by murdering his mom where is the true justice here? Is everybody in the wrong yet right? Who is the hero here? I have so may questions and I will be re-reading.
Another note I have besides that of confusion in who is right and wrong, is that of the dream of the snake. While it's a prophecy of Orestes I love the symbolism of the snake. Since Orestes says the snake is him (530-537), does that mean that he is evil? The snake is a well known symbol of evil. I think that the moral of the story is lost on us truly. While we can see it, I do believe if we where present in this society we would be on the side of Orestes but can not get behind him.
Commented on: Issac's and Spencer's
A big theme that keeps popping up in ancient literature is that of revenge. We saw this in Agamemnon. What justifies revenge though? It seems in this entire story is nothing but murder after murder. If we seemed to agree that Agamemnon was guilty and deserved to be killed, is Orestes justified for wanting revenge? I think this leads back to the question is revenge justice? While he can be justified in revenge by murdering his mom where is the true justice here? Is everybody in the wrong yet right? Who is the hero here? I have so may questions and I will be re-reading.
Another note I have besides that of confusion in who is right and wrong, is that of the dream of the snake. While it's a prophecy of Orestes I love the symbolism of the snake. Since Orestes says the snake is him (530-537), does that mean that he is evil? The snake is a well known symbol of evil. I think that the moral of the story is lost on us truly. While we can see it, I do believe if we where present in this society we would be on the side of Orestes but can not get behind him.
Commented on: Issac's and Spencer's
Evil? Deceitful is more like it. I’ve always considered snakes to be more a symbol of deception than straight-evil (though deception is, of course, a sinful behavior). Sneaking about in disguise and backstabbing unsuspecting people was the entirety of his scheme for avenging Agamemnon. I wonder what impact this has on his “justice;” instead of marching in and striking Aegisthus and Clytemnestra down like a shining hero administering justice, he creeps in with a disguise and quietly commits a vengeful murder. Is his method telling of his true motive?
ReplyDeleteVengeance is a tricky thing. People want to get even, but they also want to get back at whoever wronged them. Because of this, the revenge tends to be worse than the original crime. People always feel like they are justified in wanting an eye for an eye. What they often fail to realize is that there is a difference between vengeance and justice. Revenge is emotional; justice is objective. In light of this, I would say that revenge is not justice.
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