Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Weekly Topic: Justice in Argos
Even before Agamemnon returns to Argos, we've heard many complaints about his administration. Discuss the the pros and cons of Agamemnon's sense of justice and describe the competing accounts of justice held by Clytaemestra, Cassandra, Aegisthus and the Chorus. In short, why does each have a motive for wanting to see Agamemnon dead and which justification, if any, makes sense to you?
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Agamemnon's sense of justice, in my opinion, has more cons than pros. Waging a war against Troy for stealing his brothers wife is understandable. In order to get her back and fight for their family, war was the only option. Agamemnon sought out to obtain justice and to protect his family and his city. This would show his city that he was a strong warrior willing to do what it took to keep Argos and its people safe. However, during the process of justice and war, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter for the benefit of defeating Troy. This in turn caused his own death which will lead to the demise of Argos as well. There was no benefit in the end to bringing Troy down.
ReplyDeleteClytaemestra as a motive to see Agamemnon dead because he sacrificed their daughter for his own benefit in the war against Troy. Cassandra's motive is justifiable because Agamemnon took defeated her people in war and took her from her city to a place that she didn't want to be. Aegisthus has a motive to want Agamemnon dead because his father boiled two of his brothers and fed it to their father. The Chorus was unhappy about Agamemnon fighting the war to get Helen because they believe it brought doom to their city and the demise of the family. All of the justifications make sense to me because it is all based on revenge for one's wrong doing.
I have to agree with Cara. The motive of revenge is very easily seen all of these characters. Agamemnon’s wife Clytemnestra had an obvious reason to be angry because Agamemnon sacrificed their daughter to win the war. Cassandra also cannot be faulted for having a revenge motive because she was taken from her home against her will.
ReplyDeleteAgamemnon had pros and cons of justice in the city of Argos. His pros show that he was a great warrior because he war against Troy for stealing his brother wife but him declaring war against troy set up his own death. He also show he cared about his citizens but his con was scarifying his own daughter which show a characteristic trait that he is ruthless and cares about himself to being in power. I do believe that Clytemnestra have a motive to kill Agamemnon because he sacrifice their daughter for to win the war against troy. As a mother who wants to lose their child to war especially where their own husband sacrifice their child. I understand why Cassondra has a motive for Agamemnon to be dead because he kidnaps her from her own country which he defeated and Cassandra did not want to be in his city Argos and was held against her own will. I can’t blame Aegisthus to want Agamemnon dead because he boiled two of his brothers and feed them for dinner. That was very evil of Agamemnon and if I was Aegis thus I will want to kill Agamemnon to. I believe in all justifications because everyone wants revenge if someone is hurt that truly love but I don’t agree with Agamemnon scarifying his daughter because his brother’s wife was kidnap. As one can see having revenge on someone can end up leading to your own death.
ReplyDeleteAgememnon's sense of Justice may have had some cons to it. However, once he entered the war against Troy, he did what he needed to do to become victorious. Sacrificing his daughter to win the war seems like a worthy cost. I think that Clytemnestra should have understood that this was for the greater good, and that by doing so would enure victory for her people. In response to the first comment, I do not believe that the fault lies with Agamemnon, for the eventual demise of Argos. The fault lies with the Queen who started out the chain reaction of vengance that will lead to her death as well.
ReplyDeleteAgememnon's sense of justice did have some pros to it. He seems like a very worthy military leader who was able to conquer the city of Troy. He kept in mind the wellbeing of his nation even if it meant personal self sacrifice. I believe that only Aegithus has a reasonable motive for wanting Agamemnon dead. As I mentioned in my previous post, I believe that the sacrifice of Iphigenia was for the greater good and that Clytemnestra should have understood. In saying this, the chorus should have understood that the eventual demise of Argos was cuased by the unrational vengance of Clytemstra, not the sacrifice made by Agamemnon. Cassadandra also does not have a valid reason for wanting Agamemnon dead because she was taken during war times which happened frequently during this time period. However, Aegisthus does have a valid reason to seek vengance agaisnt Agamemnon. His brothers were cooked an served to his father by Agamemnon's father (which really wasnt a flaw in Agamemnon's sense of justice since it was his father who committed this act of atrocity, but I can understand how Aegithus sought vengance for the act).
ReplyDeleteRevenge and family seem to be over-riding themes in the actions of Agamemnon and the other parties involved. I believe that at times the personal sacrifices made were far too serious but in understanding the culture and societal values at the time, it is understandable the actions taken by Agamemnon to sacrifice their daughter for a bigger cause that would only benefit his people. The brutal slaughter of Aegisthus' brothers by Agamemnon brought a necessary need for vengance and the most understandable in my opinion.
ReplyDelete(KEITH DONNELLY, RESPONSE 1) In response to Cara and CCM's original posts regarding the sense of justice exhibited by Clytemnestra and Cassandra, let me first say: I agree, both characters indeed had viable reasons for their respective form of justice, namely Clytemnsestra's murders and Cassandra's dislike of Argos. However, I do believe it is important call into question the justice of Clytemnsestra in this particular situation; that is, does any one else believe that Clytemnstestra may have taken too drastic a form of justice by killing Agamemnon? Sure, Agamemnon had their daughter killed (recall this was to ensure their safe journey across the sea), but this deserve his death? Also, consider the fact that Clytemnstestra (these Greek names are terribly hard to spell) was unfaithful to Agamemnon while he was away fighting in the war. Does this come into play anywhere?
ReplyDelete(KEITH DONNELLY, BLOG 1)
ReplyDeleteWhen one considers the “pros” and “cons” of Agamemnon’s sense of justice, it is important to note his overarching devotion to the Gods, that is, it is important to take into consideration the fact that Agamemnon, while being a king to his people and husband/father to his wife/daughter, puts his faith, his sense of justice (what is right and wrong action), into the God’s will. However, this strong affinity to propitiate the God’s and justice in their will seems to conflict with Agamemnon’s original reason to enter the war: He was fighting to regain his brother’s wife. There are other reasons why Agamemnon’s justice is something positive and righteous though. Consider the fact that he is a King of people and must do what is in their best interest. By fighting in this war and showing his countries strength, he is making a powerful statement: My country is strong and not going to let others imitate or fight against us; put simply, we are a strong country and will help our allies when necessary. Again, one could argue a conflicting form of justice here. By fighting in the war, this may not be a correct form of justice. After all, many of the citizens of this country could die or be harmed. Agamemnon’s actions, in total are ambivalent. Perhaps, depending on what character in the play is judging Agamemnon, his actions appear just and unjust. For example, Clytemnstestra may find his actions unjust for he killed their daughter while some (not all) citizens may agree with his decisions. Again, it is very difficult to take one side in the debate whether Agamemnon’s sense of justice. Both sides can make important claims.