Clytaemestra And Aeschylus 'The Libation Bearers'

Clytaemestra and Agamemnon revel in and are gratified with the destruction that they cause. Because of this, Aeschylus is able to pressure his audiences into questioning their motives and whether or not these characters truly are agents of justice, or if they are just carrying out these acts to satisfy their own personal desires. Even though they appeal to divine justice to justify their killings, their motivation is very twisted and intertwined with other, less moral motives. When speaking about the destruction of Troy, Agamemnon states “my prize was conquest: may it never fail again”. Because Agamemnon speaks with such pleasure about the absolute destruction that he has caused the city of Troy, his true intentions are called into question.
A major portion of the second play is devoted to Orestes and his preparation to complete his vision of justice. There is, however, an obvious difference between his conduct and the behavior of his parents. Before going to the palace, Orestes asks “what you tell me. Shall she not pay for this dishonor…?” It is extremely important to note that Orestes is constantly questioning himself and even seeking advice as to what he should do from others. Right before he kills Clytaemestra, Orestes hesitates and asks his friend “What shall I do Pylades? Be shamed to kill my mother?” Unlike his parents, who are largely driven to their acts of "justice" as a way to serve their own self-interest, Orestes is attempting to rid himself of selfish emotions in order to make himself a true agent of divine justice. Furthermore, after the killings, Orestes does not revel in what he has done. Instead, he says “I grieve for the thing done, the death, and all our race. I have won; but my victory is polluted, and has no