Character of Clytemnestra in Aeschylus’s Agamemnon

In Aeschylus’ tragedy “Agamemnon”, the character of Clytemnestra is portrayed as strong willed women. This characteristic is not necessarily typical of women of her time. As a result, the reader must take a deeper look into the understanding of Clytemnestra. In Agamemnon, she dominates the action. Her most important characteristic is like the watchman calls it, ‘male strength of heart’. She is a strong woman and her strength is evident on many occasions in the play.

          Clytemnestra is the daughter of Leda and Tyndareus and the half sister of Helen. Clytemnestra and Helen are half sisters because Zeus appeared to Leda in the form of a swan and raped her. On the same night, Tyndareus also had sex with Leda and Leda became pregnant. Leda gave birth to four children or laid four eggs. Clytemnestra and Castor was Tyndareus’ children therefore they are mortal. Helen and Polybeuces was Zeus’ therefore they are immortal.

          Critics have often compared Clytemnestra with Lady Macbeth. But this comparison is not apt. Clytemnestra had no remorse for what she had done. Unlike Lady Macbeth she was never hysterical. Her every step was measured. In both Agamemnon and Choephoroe, she appeared relentless and remorseless.

          Clytemnestra did not share with anybody the credit of killing Agamemnon. She was alone all the while. Even she did not take Aegisthus, her paramour into confidence. We many detest her for her cruelty and heartlessness but we can not but admire her for her intrepidity and composure when she said:

“Thus, if ye list to hear a woman’s word,

Would run my counsel”.

She knew full well that she was in fact a man in a womanly form. She had an attractive womanly form and she knew how to exercise the womanly art to her full advantage.

          Clytemnestra surpassed others in shrews planning. Agamemnon’s murder was well planned with accuracy of details. She had ordered the watchman to look for a light. It was her plan to arrange for a chain of light from Troy to Argos. Apparently it was a part of her arrangement to welcome the victorious hero, but actually it was a part of her intention not to waste time in carrying out her vengeance. As soon as she would see the light, she would waste no time to stay Agamemnon and avenge the sacrifice of Iphigenia. When Agamemnon reached Argos, she came out her place to greet him. This was also a pretension and a part of her plan.

          Clytemnestra sought to vindicate herself by showing herself as an instrument of divine justice. Agamemnon had to reap the fruit of his hereditary crime. Clytemnestra had the right to avenge her daughter’s death at the hand of

Agamemnon. When spoke of Iphigenia’s death, we felt convinced. Therefore, Agamemnon was destined to die. So, Clytemnestra presents herself as the agent for the execution of divine justice.

          To conclude, Clytemnestra is perhaps the most fully drawn among the characters in Oresteian Trilogy. By presenting her with a motive and giving her the necessary speeches, she is at best a heroine in the heroic mode, who somehow out of personal grievance committed a crime that would affect civic matters.