Monday, February 8, 2016

How is Clytemnestra a proto-feminist in the Oresteia?

There are many ways in which Clytaemnestra in Aeschylus' Oresteia is a proto-feminist, or a character who anticipates the advent of modern feminism. Most prominently, Clytaemnestra acts according to her own volition. She hates Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter, so she takes Aegisthus as her lover and plots to murder her husband. Considering ancient Greek gender roles, one might have expected Aegisthus to take charge and murder Agememnon. However, Clytaemnestra undertakes the murder herself, and she further tells Aegisthus that she does not intend to take a subservient role when he becomes king of Argos:



I and you will be masters of this house and order it aright.



Ordinarily, the man would bear the mantle of "master of the house," but Clytaemnestra intends to share that title and power. Through these actions, Clytaemnestra revolted against ancient Greek social conventions which would have required her to be submissive.

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