Justice In Oresteia

952 Words2 Pages

Justice and Revenge in The Oresteia

In Aeschylus’ The Oresteia, justice and revenge are a dominant theme throughout the three plays. When people think of the term justice they often think in relation to a justice system. While there are no judges, jurors, or a court system in The Oresteia, there is a different type of justice throughout the plays. In Agamemnon, Aeschylus focuses on revenge as a type of justice system. Historians say that Aeschylus lived during the establishment of democracy, a time in which society was changing for the best. As we read the different plays, we see the system of justice in a Greek society transforming and going from revenge to one based on democracy. However, it cannot go unnoticed that the type of justice …show more content…

In Agamemnon, Aeschylus portrays how revenge is sometimes spurred on by the loss of a loved one. Aeschylus gave Clytemnestra a justifiable motive to murder her husband. She kills her husband because “he sacrificed his own child …. the agony [she] labored into love” (1442). Agamemnon sacrifices their daughter to the God of Artemis in order for his men to conquer Troy. Once Agamemnon returns from war, Clytaemnestra greets him by saying “Victory, you have sped my way before, now speed me to the last” (840-841). Clytaemnestra later says, “give me the tributes of a man and not a god, a little earth to walk on, not this gorgeous work” (918-920) in the efforts of treating Agamemnon poorly because he is returning alive. The system of justice in a Greek society allows one to view Clytemnestra’s murder not as a ruthless murderer, rather as one that is following tradition. Clytemnestra herself believes that she has done what is right. She takes pride having stabbed Agamemnon with a sword, as she stands over his body. Clytaemnestra …show more content…

Athena’s establishment of the court is significant because it provides a place for the citizens to decide what moral elements will be upheld in their society. In the trial, the Furies invoke their rights as defenders of familial bonds, while Orestes and Apollo try to convince the jury that his actions were just. Apollo’s argument is presented as patriarchal primarily in his speech about the father being the only true parent, which leads to the idea that he believes women are less than men. After all he also believed that the bonds of a marriage were more sacred then the bonds of family by saying “marriage of fate man and wife is Fate itself” (Eumindes 215). At the time when Athena casts her vote she exonerates Orestes by saying “No mother gave me birth. / I honour the male … I cannot set more store by the woman’s death” (Euminides 750-754). While Athena is concerned for creating peace, it is evident that she supports the concept of male superiority. The Furies lose the trial and the killing of Clyteamenstra goes unpunished. Athena however phrases the verdict in such a way that persuades the Furies to still be included, but strips them from their bad powers. From Orestes trial two outcomes occur. First, Orestes is forced to protect the rights of the “citadel for ever,” which implies that there will be peace within a household (E 786-87). Athena’s

Open Document