Agamemnon and Gender Roles Essay example - 793 Words

Throughout the years, history has tried to examine how gender roles have changed over time and views of how women should be have changed. However there are many examples of current stereotypes of women that linger in todays society. Following the play Agamemnon we will examine the three female characters and how their stereotypes apply to the current day society. A watchmen being the person who must stay awake to watch out for any urgencies quotes a few key factors that show the stereotypes of women. During the beginning of the play the watchman describes Clytaemnestra who is Agamemnons wife as That woman - she maneuvers like a man page 103. Clytaemnestra, being the 10 year ruler of Argos was not highly liked by the chorus†¦show more content†¦The watchmen was so frustrated with the female leadership of Clytaemnestra that he was asking of the gods to kill him which is a serious notion. This stereotypical feeling of female leadership is not only discussed by the watchman but also by the Chorus, whom are the old men of Argos that just observe throughout the play and comment on the action. As Clytaemnestra is lighting the torches of Argos the Chorus mock her assumption that the war is over by saying, Tell us the news! What you can, what is right, Heal us, soothe our fears! The chorus is sarcastically toying with Clytaemnestra asking her things that she is incapable of but perhaps the gods are. Possibly the chorus was saying that Clytaemnestra thinks she is as important as the gods themselves ruling Argos alone and being a woman. Often when women are placed in a leadership position it is immensely challenged by some part of the male society. It is not only the leadership role that are stereotyped through the play but also the stereotype of blaming women for another mans demise. The chorus during one of their observations blames the Trojan War on Helen, the most beautiful women of all the land who was whisked away by Paris of Greece. He had skill in the swordplay, He went down so tall in the onslaught, All for anothers women page 119. The chorus was talking about the men of Greece sent to go to war. Explaining that the men may have fought a good battleShow MoreRelatedThe Oresteia Trilogy1735 Words   |  7 PagesOresteia trilogy, Agamemnon has to be the most controversial story regarding female interpretation and gender roles. The character Clytemnestra has not only rejected her feminine role in the Greek society, but also knocks the patriarchal society of its axis because of her masculine actions. The essence of masculinity comes through Clytemnestra with the language that she uses and the pivotal point of the story, her committing the murder of her husband, Agamemnon. 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