Clytemnestra as a Nightmare to Patriarchy in Aeschylus Tragedy, The Oresteian Trilogy

Abstract

Clytemnestra is a powerful, rebellious, controversial character who dominates
in Aeschylus’s tragedy, The Oresteian Trilogy. In this play, Aeschylus
reflects the perception of women in patriarchal democratic Ancient Greek
society by Clytemnestra who is a “non-ideal” image of woman. She exposes
the imposed “ideal women” identity on females by the male dominant
Athenian sociological system by rejecting it. She is a powerful character,
because she has political aspirations; she displays masculinity, and she
chooses a sexual partner other than her husband. At the time Athens was in
transition to be a democratic society which was male oriented. Therefore,
women with the qualities of Clytemnestra are considered as destructive.
This play is important because Aeschylus demonstrates the mechanisms
of patriarchy by the character of Clytemnestra, and moreover confirms the
new system. I will study Clytemnestra in The Oresteian Trilogy concentrating
on the facts of perception of women in democratic Athenian society
that was shaped by both the state and the religious system. Both of these
sources are apparatuses of male dominant society, and expose themselves
in Clytemnestra’s life, because patriarchy uses religion to confirm the needs
of authorities. In my argument, I will study the interaction between religion
and newly established democratic Athens in order to create an ideal woman
image. Because non-ideal woman is considered as destructive and a threat
to a man driven society.

Keywords

• Clytemnestra as a Nightmare to Patriarchy in Aeschylus Tragedy,oresteia

References

1. Vellacott, Philip., translator. Aeschylus The Oresteian Trilogy. Penguin Books, 1959. • Else, Gerald F., translator. Aristotle Poetics. The University of Michigan Press, 2012. • Hall, Edith . “The Sociogy of Athenian Tragedy.” Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge • University Press, 2006. • Nickerson, Bethany. “Rebellious Performances: An Examination of the Gender Roles of • Clytemnestra And Electra.” University of Colorado, Boulder CU Scholar, 2012, • scholar.colorado.edu/honr_theses. • Case, Sue-Ellen. The Feminism and Theatre. New York: Methuen, Inc., 1988.