What is Clytemnestra known for?
Clytemnestra, in Greek legend, a daughter of Leda and Tyndareus and wife of Agamemnon, commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. She took Aegisthus as her lover while Agamemnon was away at war. Upon his return, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus murdered Agamemnon.
Who was Clytemnestra’s first husband?
Clytemnestra’s First Husband In this case, Clytemnestra was married to a man called Tantalus, son of Broteas, and therefore grandson of the more famous Tantalus; and Clytemnestra had born her husband a son. Agamemnon decided that he wanted Clytemnestra to be his wife, and so he killed Tantalus and Clytemnestra’s son.
Who was the daughter of Clytemnestra?
Electra, (Greek: “Bright One”) in Greek legend, the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, who saved the life of her young brother Orestes by sending him away when their father was murdered.
What does Clytemnestra symbolize?
The man-axe thus represents Clytemnestra’s “man-killing” qualities: those which allow her to avenge her daughter and seize power over Argos, but which also condemn her in the eyes of the Greeks and lead to her ultimate downfall.
What does the name Clytemnestra mean?
famous courter
The name Clytemnestra is girl’s name meaning “famous courter”. In Greek legend Clytemnestra was the wife of Agamemnon, mother of Orestes and Electra. She took a lover while her husband was away fighting in the Trojan War, and upon his return she had him killed.
What did Clytemnestra look like?
Though there are countless depictions of Clytemnestra in ancient and modern works alike, the most enduring has been that in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon. His Clytemnestra is bloody, bold and resolute, a proud lioness, fiercely protective of her children.
What was Clytemnestra dream?
Early in the play, we learn that Clytemnestra has had a dream that she gave birth to a snake only to have it maul her. Orestes explains to us that the snake represents him, and that he will need to use deception and violence against his mother in order to avenge his father’s murder.
Why did Clytemnestra marry Agamemnon?
In his palace, Agamemnon fell in love with the coveted Clytemnestra, the daughter of Tyndareus, and in order to get her as his wife, he killed her first husband and child. He then married Clytemnestra and Menelaus married Clytemnestra’s half-sister Helen.
Is Clytemnestra justified?
In Aeschylus’ The Agamemnon, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra have to make tough decisions throughout the play, decisions they believe are justified. The actions of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra are not justified because they are caused by their blinding hubris and desire for power.
Why is Clytemnestra a protagonist?
The play’s protagonist, Clytemnestra is Agamemnon’s wife and has ruled Argos in his absence. She plans his murder with ruthless determination, and feels no guilt after his death; she is convinced of her own rectitude and of the justice of killing the man who killed her daughter.
Was Clytemnestra a good mother?
For instance, Clytemnestra, acting as a loving mother, vowed to avenge her daughter’s death, but later on goes to curse her own son, Orestes. Clytemnestra even claims to send Orestes off with loving intentions, rather it was for her own security.
Why is Clytemnestra angry with Agamemnon?
Clytemnestra was angry with her husband, both because of her daughter’s sacrifice, as well as because Agamemnon had killed her first husband and taken her by force.
Why is Clytemnestra angry?
Is Clytemnestra sympathetic?
Clytemnestra is Agamemnon’s wife and has ruled Argos in his absence. She plans his murder with ruthless determination, and feels no guilt after his death; she is convinced of her own rectitude and of the justice of killing the man who killed her daughter. She is, a sympathetic character in many respects.
What kind of person is Clytemnestra?
Clytemnestra is shown as an independent woman, with the strength and intelligence of a man, who has ruled a country in her husband’s place for 10 years. It is only fitting that her act of vengeance be completed with a man’s weapon.
What kind of character is Clytemnestra?
Clytemnestra is decisive, resolute, and aggressive, and her femininity is often called into question. However, she is able mask her anger in public moments in order to carry out her revenge plot. The nobility of her revenge is complicated by her affair with Aegisthus.