Agamemnon, Lines 1-500

1. emprise (line 140): an adventurous, daring, or chivalric enterprise



2. In this section, Agamemnon has been away at war for 10 years, leaving his kingdom to his wife Clytemnestra to rule. In order to go to war, Agamemnon was told to sacrifice his daughter to the gods. Selfishly, he has his men kill his daughter which greatly angers Clytemnestra. When Clytemnestra was in power, she tells the chorus, which is made up of the elderly and wise citizens that they have defeated Troy. They are skeptical of this, and ask Clytemnestra if it is possible that she had dreamed this, or heard a rumor. The chorus gives thanks to the gods for the fall of Troy, but they also wonder if the gods have tricked them or perhaps if Clytemnestra is celebrating this victory too soon.

3. It seems to me that the chorus is doubting Clytemnestra because she is a woman. It is possible that they think she has more power than any woman should have and she is doing an excellent job of ruling, or they simply think that because she is a woman she has no idea how to rule a kingdom. An example of the chorus being skeptical of Clytemnestra's great news is exhibited starting on line 324 where the chorus says, " Thrills thro' my heart such joy as wakens tears." Clytemnestra replies,"Ay, thro' those tears thine eye looks loyalty." The chorus is still doubtful in saying, "But hast thou proof, to make assurance sure?" The queen has told the chorus time and time again that the messenger has seen the flames that would signify the fall of Troy, but they have yet to believe her. Finally she commands to them, "Peace--thou dost chide me as a credulous girl."

4. a) In class we researched the story of the Trojan War, and I found myself wondering if Helen was stolen by Paris or if she went with him on her own accord. If she did leave with him on her own, what was the reason for this war?

b) Do Greeks believe that we as humans have one set destiny?

c) Was Agamemnon forced to sacrifice his daughter or was he just willing to do so because he really wanted to go fight in the war?