Clytaemnestra’s Composure and Orestes’ Regrets

Clytaemnestra’s Composure and Orestes’ Regrets The justification scenes in Agamemnon and the Libation Bearers show that both Clytaemnestra and Orestes are able admit their decision of committing murder, but, while Clytaemnestra is able to maintain her composure, Orestes worries himself to the point of insanity, and he ends up regretting the whole thing. Clytaemnestra plans to kill Agamemnon from the moment he returns home. When he arrives, she treats him like a king, but, when he is not on his guard, Clytaemnestra strikes him down. Orestes flees town, but he knows one day soon he will have to return and kill Clytaemnestra to avenge his father’s death. He disguises himself as a messenger with news of Orestes’ death. When he is invited inside, he has a lengthy conversation with Clytaemnestra, but he eventually finds the strength to kill her. Clytaemnestra and Orestes both had different strategies and reasons for the murders they committed, but they were both able to admit their wrongs to everyone. Clytaemnestra shows no regrets in the justification scene in Agamemnon.
“I brooded on this trial, this ancient blood feud year by year. At last my hour came.
Here I stand and here I struck
And here my work is done.
I did it all. I don’t deny it, no.
He had no way to flee or fight his destiny.” (AG 1396-1401)
All of the old men of Argos are upset with Clytaemnestra with her killing. She knows she is not in the best situation right now, but she does all she can to not make it worse. Clytaemnestra is able to come up front and reveal her wrongdoing in front of the entire town. She knows covering the murder up would be a foolish decision.
Just like Clytaemnestra, Orestes is also able to admit his decision of murder in the justification scene of the Libation Bearers.
“And still, while I still have some self-control,
I say to my friends in public: I killed my mother,
Not with a little justice, She was stained
With father’s murder, she was cursed by a god.” (LB