“Agamemnon” is the first of the three linked tragedies which make up “The Oresteia” trilogy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus, followed by “The Libation Bearers” and “The Eumenides”. The trilogy as a whole, originally performed at the annual Dionysia festival in Athens in 458 BCE, where it won first prize, is considered to be Aeschylus’ last authenticated, and also his greatest, work. “Agamemnon” describes the homecoming of Agamemnon, king of Argos, from the Trojan War, and his return to his wife, Clytemnestra, who had been planning his murder (in concert with her lover, Aegisthus) as revenge for Agamemnon’s earlier sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia.

1. The Feminist
approach in
Agamemnon
Organized by
Morad Ahammad khan And Raj Edward Gomes

2. Gender roles
 A gender role, also known as a sex role
 Gender roles are usually centered on conceptions
of Femininity and Masculinity.
 For example, women: polite, nurturing, take care of
the children, cook, and clean the home
Men: strong, aggressive, bold, take care of finances,
work on the car, and do the home repairs.

3. Gender Roles in Ancient Greek
Society
Men Women

4. Feminist
 A person who supports feminism.

5. Clytemnestra
Aeschylus wrote a strong female character in the play:
she challenged gender roles from the very begging of the
play.
• rejection of her gender role.
• She breaks the boundaries of
‘womanhood’.

6.  She dominates the play as she dominates every
character.
 Clytemnestra has ‘manly’ qualities.
 The chorus reinforces this idea when they state-“Lady,
you speak as wisely as a prudent man” (Agamemnon
351).
 “here where I stuck I stand and see my task achieved.
Yes, this is my work and I claim it.”(Clytemnestra)

7.  Clytemnestra expertly manipulates Agamemnon into
stepping onto the carpet by finally stating
 “yield! You are victor: give me too my
victory”(Agamemnon 943).
 Not only does she reject the inferiority of
‘womanhood’, but she makes Aegisthus of lower status
than her.

8. so, Clytemnestra breaks the norms
of womanhood
 She is depicted as stronger than both
Agamemnon and Aegisthus.
 Clytemnestra represents a masculinized
woman, who is a subject rather than an
object.
 Clytemnestra states to the chorus that
“Agamemnon’s funeral ‘is no concern of
yours”. It is through this final act that
Clytemnestra concludes her revenge and
ends Agamemnon’s rule.

9. Thank you