Western Lit. 1-45: Agamemnon: Hubris, Fate, and Moral Law

The Trojan War was one of the key events in Greek mythology and perhaps the most central event in Greek culture. Over the centuries, it has inspired countless works of art, literature, and philosophy, profoundly shaping the way people view the world with the insights derived from the legend. Among countless writers and poets who explored the themes and lessons of this war, Aeschylus stands out as a master of tragedy and insight. His play "Agamemnon" offers a powerful and complex portrayal of the war and its aftermath, exploring themes such as hubris, fate, justice, and the will of the gods. This essay examines Aeschylus' view of the Trojan War as presented in Agamemnon. Through his play "Agamemnon", Aeschylus presents a multifaceted view of the Trojan War that highlights the destructive consequences of human hubris and the inescapable power of fate. He emphasizes the need for moral law and the possibility of redemption and reconciliation in the face of tragedy. Perhaps the greatest way this tragedy manifests itself is through heavenly envy invoked by hubris.

The poet Aeschylus depicts the downfall of a mighty king who succumbs to his own pride and ambition. As the leader of the Greek forces, Agamemnon sacrificed his own daughter to the gods to secure a favorable wind for his fleet. Oddly, the play describes this as "the harsh yolk of necessity". The true moral abhorrence of this act stems from the king's attitude. His ambition and pride made him ambivalent about his daughter's life and his wife's. His disregard for the consequences of the war he waged in pride took the same toll everywhere. The king sacrificed her not because he had to, but because he wanted to act with impunity toward others. With his conquest of Troy, the treatment of his men, and the abandonment of his people he proves that he is conceited to the core. His act of ungodly hubris and arrogance unleashes a furious chain of events that leads to his own destruction and his family's ruin. Aeschylus shows us that no one is above moral laws. Even the most powerful rulers must be held accountable for their actions.

Agamemnon emphasizes humility and self-restraint. Aeschylus warns us that seeking too much power or glory can provoke envy and resentment from others, leading to disastrous consequences. After Agamemnon conquers Troy, he returns without any spoils from the war, and having only barely gained victory. In fact, he still fails to credit those who won it for him. Instead, he speaks of the gods with fleeting recognition and accuses his men of jealousy for his own valor. Upon reaching the palace, he hesitates for a moment when his wife boasts arrogantly and spreads a red carpet for him. He realizes, even for a moment, that such honors are only fitting for gods. This man's inability to control his self-indulgence secured his fate. Treading the carpet means accepting all his wife's boasts, flaunting his jealous victory before a long-suffering people. Tension mounts as he marches across the carpet to his fate in damnation's castle. This walk is symbolic of the broader pattern of his life; for a decade he commanded an immense force defying the gods to conquer a city for pride. This is the disposition shared by all elites, warmongers, and self-righteous rulers. Aeschylus suggests that crossing a certain threshold of aggrandized abandon in pursuit of glory leads to tragedy. When his wife murders him in revenge, her real motivation is hatred for his egoistic recklessness. The wisest of kings and mighty men shy away from prideful boasting. They should be wary of envy rules. For them, it is far better to remain innocent in peace than to be damned in victory.

Greek myth is based on the conflict between sovereign fate and mortal authority. Agamemnon is no exception. It skillfully illustrates the power of both the gods and the furies over mortal affairs and establishes a causal system for these sanctions. Aeschylus portrays a world in which divine justice always punishes those who transgress nature and moral laws. The furies, in particular, are a fearsome force that haunts and torments those who commit crimes or offenses against the gods. Aeschylus thus suggests that even the most powerful mortals are ultimately subject to the gods' will. They must be careful not to defy the sovereign mandate. Each man must consider the possibility that his words will produce lightning from heaven. War's morality is derived from its natural consequences. Violence provokes violence, boasting breeds envy, etc. The central thing is to know what the sovereign is, and what its laws are to reduce conflict. The ideal life is not to live all the rage, but to be at peace with gods and men.

A related theme is fate and destiny. In the play, the conflict between mortal destiny and will in war is deeply intriguing, and Agamemnon plays a key role in exploring these themes. Aeschylus elevates fate's role in determining the outcome of events. However, he also portrays the importance of will in shaping their inevitable destiny. It is not only the will, but the actions that stem from the will that seal one's fate. Agamemnon is portrayed as a leader with significant power and will. However, it is his moral ineptitude that ultimately led to his tragic downfall. The decision to sacrifice his daughter is both an example of his powerful will and a microcosm of the decisions led up to his assassination. Blinded by his ego, the king is woefully unable to escape his tragic fate or see it coming. What it is also implied is that his wife, Clytemnestra, was more than a passive instrument of fate. Instead, she was an actor whose will and choices shaped the play's outcome. In this way, Aeschylus presents a nuanced view of the interplay between fate and individual will in shaping mortals' final destiny, especially in times of war.

Perhaps the greatest tragedies of the play are hardly discussed. But what could be more horrible than a dynastic calamity? Even in the modern day, no, especially in the modern day, it is more comfortable to forget the impact of war on families and communities. Leaving out the specifics says more about the horror of this tragedy than anything else. For many, moving on and forgetting is the only way to handle it, but some things cannot be forgotten. The war has immutably changed the lives of countless people including the massacred citizens of Troy, the drowned soldiers of the lost fleet, the families at home with no bodies to mourn, the children raised without fathers, the old men who feel useless and emasculated, and the women who have grown old without a husband. But perhaps the ones hurt most of all are the wives abandoned for a war they never wanted and whose bitterness is unbearable in silence. Aesychelles highlights the bitterness and strife that arise in the aftermath of war, including the lingering trauma that persists for generations after the fact. In the House of Atreus, this manifests itself in a vicious cycle of revenge and violence. The tragic circumstances of the play illustrate the human experience of war and its consequences. Both the spoken word and what is unsaid work to illustrate the true cost of armed conflict. This is not just in terms of human life but also the emotional toll it takes on those left behind. The old and the widows, the wives and children of soldiers abroad all suffered alike for victory.

In Agamemnon, Aeschylus masterfully explores domestic violence and revenge. The central conflict of the play and the foreshadowed curse of Atreus' house envisage behaviors that perpetuate destructive cycles of hatred and pride. The tragic downfall of Agamemnon's family serves as a cautionary tale. With its symphonic rhythm, the play shows us how history repeats itself through this bloodline. The tale intertwines the family's inevitable fate with the impulses of vengence that motivate them. Ultimately, it illustrates the devastating effects of allowing these violence patterns to persist, urging viewers to recognize and break the cycle. The question on everyone's mind is how to do that, forshadowing the final resolution of the play in The Eumenides.

Despite the seemingly bleak outlook of mortal fate and the recurring theme of violence, Aeschylus also offers a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful future. While the characters in Agamemnon cannot break with fate, the play hints at the possibility of redemption and reconciliation. Aeschylus suggests that despite the human tendency to perpetuate patterns of conflict and strife, there is always potential for change and growth. In the final lines of the play, the chorus reflects on the human condition, hinting at the promise of a better future ahead.

In conclusion, Aeschylus' Agamemnon presents a multifaceted and intricate portrayal of the Trojan War and its aftermath. The play delves into the psychological and emotional impact of war on both the victors and the defeated. It highlights the complexities of the human experience in times of conflict. Moreover, it raises crucial ethical questions concerning violence, revenge, and human life taking. Aeschylus demonstrates the moral law as a guiding force. He warns against the dangers of hubris, the destructive nature of revenge, the power of moral accountability, and the inevitability of fate. The play's enduring legacy lies in its ability to provoke contemplation and reflection on these timeless themes of war and conflict. This makes it a cornerstone of Western literature and a testament to tragedy's enduring power. Aeschylus leaves us with a message of hope. He suggests that even in the face of the most bitter conflict, there is always potential for redemption and a better future.