Aeschylus' Oresteia is a trilogy of tragedies that express the strength possessed by women, but, on the other hand, it also expresses the cowardice of some men, one man in particular. This man's name was Agisthos. Aigisthos is only present in the first and second plays of the trilogy, and barely shows up for most of each tragedy. Despite this, Aegisthus' seemingly minor role has a clandestinely powerful contribution to Agamemnon's shame and death. With his cunning deceptions, his power-hungry cowardice, and his stupid mistake, Aigisthos does more than simply avenge his father. It induces its own annihilation. Aegisthus, a man who defends his honor as many men do these days, carries out his plan in an unexpected way. Like the serpent of Genesis, Aegisthus cunningly deceives woman and family without wielding a weapon, unless his lustful thinking and sharp mind are classified in the archives as artillery. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay During this era, men were superior, so in relationships, men were allowed to have many wives, concubines, and mistresses without raising reproaches. Related to this, it was humiliating for men to have their wives stolen. Klyteemestra is mentioned twice as “Agamemnon's queen”, thus demonstrating her position as Agamemnon's sole and crucial wife (Agamemnon ln 25, 83). However, in Agamemnon's absence, Aegisthus lustfully creeps into Klyteemestra's bed and in doing so not only takes control of the house, but also dishonors Agamemnon's family name. Along the same route, it is never mentioned that Aigisthos loved Clytaemestra, although Klytaemestra herself acknowledges her love for Aigisthos numerous times. He says: “Aegisthus makes the fire shine in my hearth, my good friend, now as always, who will be for us the shield of our challenge...” (Agamemnon ln 1402-1404) Orestes too, while conversing with Klyteemestra after killing Aigisthos he states: “While [Aigisthos] was alive you thought him better than my father…. You love him and hate the man you should have loved” thus himself noting how she truly loved Aegisthus (The Libation Bearers ln 896-898). Aegisthus, by contrast, rarely refers to the woman and, when he does, speaks quickly of his intentions. The chorus clearly states Aegisthus' relationship with Klyteemestra by saying: “…you… waited for the war to end, shaming the master's bed with lust” (Agamemnon ln 1590-1591). Strictly speaking, the chorus refrains from expressing the word "love" when referring to Aegisthus' relationship with Clytaemestra. Although Aegisthus was a cunning trickster, he was also a vile tyrant, who hid behind his woman, his guards, and his words. Aigisthos is not present for most of the first work of the trilogy; he is not even mentioned until Cassandra speaks of him in the riddles as a "strengthless lion who rolls in his master's bed" (Agamemnon ln 1190), and finally shows up with bodyguards after Agamemnon's death to praise himself for the murder. Clearly, Aegisthos is a tyrant without the courage that tyrants stereotypically display. He is never present without these guards and proudly claims rights to Agamemnon's murder. Aegisthus' words are sharp and threatening when he speaks to the chorus after Agamemnon's death, but he still has to have his "henchmen" on hand when a battle is about to break out. He first admonishes the chorus of elders that “they are old” and “they will learn how difficult it is at [their] age, to learn how to behave…” (Agamemnon ln 1584). So ignore the questions aboutwhy it was Klyteemestra who killed Agamemnon instead of Aegisthus (the man), and ultimately responds by passively plotting her own plans. “…The deception was on the part of the woman…still with [Agamemnon's] money I will try to control the citizens” (Agamemnon ln1601-1603). With this statement, Aigisthos not only desperately tries to prove that he is the mastermind, but also expresses his true intentions which have absolutely nothing to do with his father's revenge. The only one to calm Egisto and prevent the fight from starting is Klytemestra. Egisto seeks shelter behind her like a child shyly crouching behind his mother's skirts. When he threatens the chorus near the end of Agamemnon, the chorus states: “Raven and strut, brave cockerel near thy hen; you have no threats to fear” (Agamemnon ln 1638). This indicates Aegisthus' cowardice and the necessity of Klyteemestra's presence. It also demonstrates Klytemestra's power over her own. Aigisthos may speak and appear like a tyrant with his many armed guards and flying tongue, but despite all this, the chorus sees him for what he truly is: an oppressive weakling. Aigisthos may be simply cunning and cowardly, but in addition to his hated character, he is also a clumsy buffoon. With a weakened sense of fear after Agamemnon's death, Aegisthus appears to allow his pride to take over. He threatens the chorus of elders in Agamemnon, as stated earlier, and later, in The Libation Bearers, he is considered a man despised by the family's slaves. Although the slave chorus does not say it directly, the slaves tell Electra to wish good news to those who hate Aegisthus, and Electra responds by adding the chorus to this group (The Libation Bearers ln 103). The oppression of the citizens and slaves of the house he conquered shows that Aegisthus did not think about external threats to his kingdom. In addition to the hatred that burns in the family and in the city, Aigisthos seems to ignore the most important prefiguration of the second play: Klyteemestra's dream followed by the sudden appearance of a strange man who claims Orestes' death. Aigisthos isn't featured very often in The Libation Bearers. , but, in bringing him to the same level as Klytemestra, it is evident that he has not put two and two together. Klytemestra dreams of giving birth to a snake and being killed by that very creature. He knows that this serpent must be Orestes, for he would not have sent libations to Agamemnon's tomb if he had not been afraid that his son would come to avenge his father (The Libation Bearers ln 510-535). Yet despite this, Klyteemestra and Aegisthus both seem indifferent to the stranger who brings the news of Orestes' death the very morning after Klytemestra has this dream. They do not take the necessary precautions (Aigisthos does not bring his guards when he consults with the stranger), and for this reason they are both hit. Egisthos is also foolishly proud of his leadership at home. The mention of “man to man speaking” is a recurring theme in The Libation Bearers, occurring four different times in the text. Orestes initiates this idea by first talking about it to the choir (The Libation Bearers ln 555), then visiting the house, praying to talk to the man of the house instead of the woman so he can get to the point straight away (ln 651- 653). Next, the Nurse tells the chorus what Klyteemestra said about the need for Agisto to speak directly to the stranger (ln 795). And finally, taking a cue from Klyteemestra, Aegisthus steps forward, communicating his intentions in speaking with the stranger so that the man “…does not steal away [Aegisthus'] clear mind” (ln 844). Ironically, Orestes takes more of Aegisthus's mind. He takes his own life. 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