I'm really frustrated.
It's infuriating (pun definitely intended) to see the unbalanced view of the crimes that have been committed. Orestes's crime of matricide can be examined from his own point of view. The play goes to some lengths to justify the murder because of his motive - he killed Clytemnestra to avenge his father.
But what about Clytemnestra's motives? She didn't just go into a fit of senseless rage and murder her husband for laughs. She killed Agamemnon to avenge her daughter. Why isn't this taken into account?
What Clytemnestra did wasn't right - not by any stretch of the imagination - but it makes about as much sense as what Orestes did. And yet Orestes receives pardon and Clytemnestra is still seen as a villain. Athena admits herself that she's not an impartial judge - she outright states that she prefers men's causes to women's. The entire 'case' was lopsided and full justice, in my opinion, was not served. Both Clytemnestra and her son deserved punishment, not just one of them.
PS: I commented on Caleb's post.
This is really interesting! I thought about this, and it made me curious as to whether or not it made a difference that the gods commanded Orestes to, while Clytemnestra took matters into her own hands.
ReplyDeleteAmen! It's ridiculous! These young Olympians are simply after whatever tickles their fancy at the moment. They're more oriented with masculinity. They've no respect for the older, feminine system of tradition and its views. It's disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused altogether about the morality of killing others. These plays make it very tough to make an ethical decision about the subject.
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound like a feminist (I really do) but I have such an issue with all of this ancient literature and the rampant misogynistic tenancies therein. I understand it was a 'different time' but come on! Two murders were committed. TWO. But its more like Clymenestra killed her husband and Orestes had a slight misunderstanding with his mom.
ReplyDeleteI am finding it hard to see where justice ever gets served in greek mythology. It seems as if blood just gets spilled on blood.
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