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Lecture 16: Orestes, Revenge, the Eumenides Background: The Libation Bearers • Tragedy by Aeschylus • Was performed after the Agamemnon in what is now call the Oresteia trilogy • Orestes returns, compelled by Apollo to avenge death of father • Plots with Electra to kill Clytemnestra and Aegisthus • The Erinyes (Furies) pursue Orestes F. Graf, Greek Mythology 165 “Orestes dilemma is even graver that that of Agamemnon at Aulis. Again the gods have thrust mortals into a terrible predicament. Apollo makes Orestes decide between two evils: he must either avenge his father by committing matricide or be punished horribly by the Delphic god.” Orestes and Electra school of Pasiteles; c. 50 - 25 BCE; inspired by a Greek work of c. 470 BCE. Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli Orestes, Electra and Pylades at the tomb of Agamemnon ca. 350 BCE. Musée du Louvre Orestes killing Aigisthos. c. 500 BCE, Musée du Louvre F. Graf, Greek Mythology 162 “In the unending cycle of retaliation that is the mainspring of the Oresteia, each retaliatory act is carried out in the name of justice. …In Choephori [Libation Bearers], the next play of the trilogy, Orestes and Electra insist that the murder of their mother was a just act. Yet the alleged justice of that act does not keep the Erinyes from hounding Orestes.” Deaths in the House of Pelops • Death of Clytemnestra << Death of Agamemnon – Death of Agamemnon retaliation for: • Death of his daughter • Crimes of his father (Atreus killing Thyestes’ sons) – Death of Thyestes’ Sons retaliation for adultery » Adultery retaliation for Atreus’ grab for power The Eumenides (The Kindly Ones) • Orestes being driven mad by Furies, flees to Athens • Trial of Orestes – who is judge, jury, the defense, the prosecution? • Judgment and resolution of talio Orestes Pursued by the Furies Bouguereau, William, 1825-1905 Orestes at Delphi. Pythia fleeing in horror (left), Apollo, Orestes clutching the omphalos stone, Artemis. Those Kindly Furies… •Eumenides, “The kindly ones,” a euphemism for Erinyes, “The Furies.” •Referred to simply as “august goddesses” in Athenian documents – Hesitation to name them? •Conflict between the old and young gods over the distribution of honors (the Furies regard Orestes as their rightful prey), primacy of mother vs. father •Cf. gods vs. titans, Theogony •Voting and persuasion, Athens and her citizens Apollo, Parentage “The mother is not a parent, only the nurse Of the seed which the true parent, the father, Commits to her as to a stranger to Keep it with God’s help safe from harm. And I Have proof of this. There can be a father Without a mother.” Orestes’ Oath – Reference to treaty between Athens and Argos Before I go I give my word to you and to your people For all posterity that no commander Shall lead an Argive army in war against This city. Rage of the Erinyes –Old vs. New Gods Oho, you junior gods, since you have trod under foot The laws of old and robbed us of our powers, We shall afflict this country With damp contagion, bleak and barren, withering up the soil, Mildew on bud and birth abortive. Venomous pestilence Shall sweep your cornlands with infectious death. …and then acceptance We agree to dwell with you Here in Athens, which by grace of Zeus Stands a fortress for the gods, Jeweled crown of Hellas. So With you now we join in prayer That smiling suns and fruitful soils unite to yield Lifelong joy, fortune fair, Light and darkness reconciled. Etiological myths in the Eumenides •Athens and Argos (Orestes swears an eternal alliance between Athens and Argos) •Foundation of Areopagos (“Rock of Ares”) court in Athens •Cult of Eumenides (“The Kindly Ones”) in Athens