Women were not considered equals in ancient Greek society. They were inferior and unable to do what men could. Women were expected to be submissive, under the control of men and could not often do or say what they wanted. Clytemnestra’s role in Agamemnon is varied and can therefore be viewed from different perspectives. It is possible to argue that her actions were either foolish or great, but one thing is certain: she is an incredibly powerful character that challenges the traditional role of women in patriarchal Greek culture. The analysis of the dialogues between Clytemnestra and Agamemnon will show this. Clytemnestra has to deal with the chorus’s skepticism as they see her as an idiotic woman who is unable to perform the duties of a male. But she always proves them incorrect, and destroys the stereotype of a woman. She also manages to outsmart Agamemnon both mentally and physically on several occasions. She shows she’s different than any other woman of that time and doesn’t conform to their ideas about what a female should be.
Clytemnestra is the first character to see the beacon lit. She assumes that this is because the Greeks won the Trojans. She is met with skepticism when she tells the chorus. They accuse the woman of believing in a “vision”, or having had a “dream”, because they do not trust her. Clytemnestra refuses, despite the chorus’s skepticism. She is a defiant woman. The chorus consists of the oldest and most experienced men in the village, so women are expected to be submissive. The chorus is full of the village’s wisest and oldest men, so it makes sense that women would be completely submissive to them. But it turns out it was a good decision. Clytemnestra’s “cry of joy” was already “long ago”. Clytemnestra is considered a giant of a woman for proving these men, who were among the most intelligent and wise, wrong. They “laughed”, doubted, and said she was “like a women” for lifting her heart to such a light level. This meant that they believed all women were blindly believing in things. Clytemnestra defies stereotypes by using her own reasoning.
Clytemnestra is angry with Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter. She wants to get revenge on him. Agamemnon’s arrival from war is greeted by Clytemnestra, who tells her “dearest spouse” to “step off” his “chariot”, and “not step on earth”, but instead walk on “tapestries”. Clytemnestra calls Agamemnon to “step from” his “chariot”, and to not set foot on earth, but to walk the tapestries she had laid out. Clytemnestra demonstrates that women were capable of executing complex plans and executing them. Clytemnestra had carefully planned her murder. She takes every measure to make sure that her plan doesn’t fail. She is also being manipulative by referring to Agamemnon’s “dearest spouse” in order to make him feel comforted and relieved. Agamemnon refuses to walk over the tapestries. Clytemnestra then uses Agamemnon’s strong will against her, asking him to not “cross” hers. Agamemnon replies by saying that he will “not soften his will for her”. Clytemnestra understands that Agamemnon is going to continue to act like she’s beneath him, and appeals this manhood. She feeds Agamemnon’s idea that he has more power than her by saying “oh!” You have the power. (944) Agamemnon has been fed with lies because she believes he will be sacrificed to fulfill her revenge. She manipulates Agamemnon into doing what she wants. He is so engrossed in his pride, he doesn’t even notice that Clytemnestra has planned. Her ability in manipulating and outsmarting Agamemnon proves that she isn’t your typical submissive girl. She uses her wit, charm and planning to achieve the goals she sets for herself.
Clytemnestra’s murder of Agamemnon displays her ability to exert her dominance both physically and mentally over her male rival. Clytemnestra, after the murder, explains how, unlike most Greek women, she “felt nothing shame” and felt the act was “necessary”. She felt Agamemnon was deserving of death and took action to ensure that she wouldn’t fail. She made sure Agamemnon couldn’t “escape his death nor beat it aside, as fishermen cast huge circlingnets”. Aeschylus used this image to show that Clytemnestra caught Agamemnon like a fishing net and he was unable to escape. It shows her intelligence and power, as well as that she’s capable of using them against Agamemnon. In addition to proving her intelligence by manipulating Agamemnon’s death, the murder also demonstrates dominance. “The bodies of Agamemnon/and Cassandra are revealed when the doors open, with Clytaemestra on top”. This dramatic entrance, which takes place between 1370-1371, emphasizes the grandeur of Clytaemestra as she stands high above her enemies. She plays the part of a ferocious woman as she takes revenge on Agamemnon. She also shows dominance through the way she describes her killing of Agamemnon. Then, when he was on the ground / I delivered a final blow. (1384-1386) It shows just how powerful and merciless Clytemnestra really is. Agamemnon was essentially dead after two blows, but Clytemnestra delivered a third one as a sign of her power and vengeance. Aeschylus claims that Agamemnon suffered “two great agonies” after she struck him two times. He did this to emphasize how he couldn’t defend himself and how much he suffered. Clytemnestra demonstrates her strength, intelligence and ability to act independently, which was something women could not do.
Clytemnestra’s ability to fight against the stereotype of a woman character has been demonstrated. Clytemnestra is able to stand up for her beliefs despite the chorus’s skepticism. She shows that her actions and thoughts are not influenced by what others think. In the book, she manages to outsmart Agamemnon’s husband and show him how smart and clever she really is. She cleverly manipulates him and then, when she feels it’s the right time, shows off her physical dominance. Clytemnestra dispels the idea that she’s a typical Greek women and shines a light on how a woman should behave. Aeschylus shows how powerful and independent women would be in the modern world.
