Agamemnon: Difference between revisions

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{{quote|"''I say Agamemnon shall lie dead before your eyes.''"|''' [[Cassandra Truth|Cassandra]]'''}}

 

 

Agamemnon himself is the King of Argos, who is returning home from the [[The Trojan War]] after enslaving Cassandra, the daughter of the Trojan king, Priam. Cassandra is forced into being his [[Unusual Euphemism|concubine.]] Much to the distress of his wife, Clytemnestra when he finally returns home. Clytemnestra welcomes him back as if nothing bothers her, but is unable to keep the bitterness out of her tone when she speaks of how long he had been gone. Stringing out [[False Reassurance|extravagant tales of how much she missed him]], in an attempt to make him feel uneasy and guilt stricken. She then orders maids to retrieve a purple cloth from his chariot, and spread it on the palace floor beneath his feet. But Agamemnon refuses to step on it.

Cassandra has a vision of the walls of the palace dripping blood, Agamemnon's dead body and a sword in Clytemnestra's grasp. She also sees her own dead body lying still beside the king. She tries to warn the Elders of this horrible prophecy, but they are unable to understand what she's saying. Cassandra resigns to her fate, gives a prayer that she is given a quick death and enters the palace. Soon after the death-shriek of the king is heard; the Elders debate rapidly what to do; and the palace doors open to reveal Clytemnestra and the bleeding corpses of Cassandra and Agamemnon. Even though the Elders know that they should condemn Clytemnestra for her actions, the situation of her grief and suffering for years are making them unsure.

 

 

 

Challenged by the Elders, Aegisthus makes a show of force; Clytemnestra pleads for restraint; and the Elders withdraw, shouting threats and defiance.

 

 

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* [[Because Destiny Says So]]

* [[Big Badass Bird of Prey]]: Bird symbolism is used throughout the play.

* [[Classical Mythology]]

* [[Death of the Old Gods]]: The Chorus describes how Ouranos was defeated by Chronos, and Chronos in turn was defeated by Zeus.

* [[Double-Speak]]: Many of Clytemnestra's speeches have double meanings.

* [[Downer Ending]]: {{spoiler|It ends with both Agamemnon and Cassandra dead.}}

* [[Greek Chorus]]

* [[God Save Us From the Queen]]: Clytemnestra, though she's not explicitly a bad ruler, the Elders just don't like her because she's too crafty for their liking. And, well, a woman.

* [[Historical Fantasy]]

* [[I Will Wait for You]]: What Agamemnon expects from Clytemnestra.

* [[Jerkass Victim]]: Agamemnon.

* [[Keep the Home Fires Burning]]

* [[Mr. Exposition]]: The Watchman.

* [[Psychic Powers]]: Cassandra's clairvoyance, given to her by Apollo.

* [[Royally Screwed-Up]]

* [[Tragedy]]

* [[Virgin Sacrifice]]: Agamemnon kills one of his daughters, Iphigenia, for a favorable wind in order to go to war.

* [[Your Cheating Heart]]: Clytemnestra cheats on Agamemnon with his cousin Aegisthus.

 

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[[Category:Theatrical Productions]]