Justice and Vengeance in The Oresteia
Justice and Vengeance in The Oresteia
A. Thesis Statement
In this paper, I suggest that the themes of justice and vengeance are reflected in a progressive movement throughout the trilogy. The never-ending cycle of revenge and vengeance was between not only mortals like Clytaemnestra and Orestes but also between gods for example Apollo and the Furies. The theme of justice and vengeance are important because the play reflects a movement from a time of savagery and revenge and a movement towards civilization and justice.
B. Structure of Paper In this paper, I will examine how the themes of justice and vengeance are treated in the Oresteia. I will examine the progress of the trilogy from the savage cycle of bloodshed to a more civilized and justice oriented society. First I will take a look at the foreshadowing of doom in Agamemnon by the Chorus. Then, I will analyze how the cycle of bloodshed continues in the Libation Bearers. And lastly the change from cyclic bloodshed to peace and justice will be discussed through the last play the Furies.
C. Body of Paper
In the first play Agamemnon, we get the first glimpse of the oncoming fate in the house of Atreus. The sacrificial death of Iphigenia mentioned in Agamemnon 875 was the first spark that caused this cycle of bloodshed to begin and led to the death of the king. The following passage is the words of the chorus following the unfortunate murder of Agamemnon.
“I dread the drumbeat thunder the heavy rains of blood will crush the house the first light rains are over- Justice brings new acts of agony, yes, on new grindstones Fate is grinding sharp the sword of Justice.”
Agamemnon 1561-1565
This passage foreshadows not only the coming doom in the house of Atreus but also the intervention of the gods. The line “the first light rains are over-Justice brings new acts of agony” reflects that blood will no longer drizzle but pour from this house until justice is served. It is being implied that Agamemnon was only
A. Thesis Statement
In this paper, I suggest that the themes of justice and vengeance are reflected in a progressive movement throughout the trilogy. The never-ending cycle of revenge and vengeance was between not only mortals like Clytaemnestra and Orestes but also between gods for example Apollo and the Furies. The theme of justice and vengeance are important because the play reflects a movement from a time of savagery and revenge and a movement towards civilization and justice.
B. Structure of Paper In this paper, I will examine how the themes of justice and vengeance are treated in the Oresteia. I will examine the progress of the trilogy from the savage cycle of bloodshed to a more civilized and justice oriented society. First I will take a look at the foreshadowing of doom in Agamemnon by the Chorus. Then, I will analyze how the cycle of bloodshed continues in the Libation Bearers. And lastly the change from cyclic bloodshed to peace and justice will be discussed through the last play the Furies.
C. Body of Paper
In the first play Agamemnon, we get the first glimpse of the oncoming fate in the house of Atreus. The sacrificial death of Iphigenia mentioned in Agamemnon 875 was the first spark that caused this cycle of bloodshed to begin and led to the death of the king. The following passage is the words of the chorus following the unfortunate murder of Agamemnon.
“I dread the drumbeat thunder the heavy rains of blood will crush the house the first light rains are over- Justice brings new acts of agony, yes, on new grindstones Fate is grinding sharp the sword of Justice.”
Agamemnon 1561-1565
This passage foreshadows not only the coming doom in the house of Atreus but also the intervention of the gods. The line “the first light rains are over-Justice brings new acts of agony” reflects that blood will no longer drizzle but pour from this house until justice is served. It is being implied that Agamemnon was only