Clytmenestra Character Analysis

Queen Clytemnestra is by far the most interesting character in Agamemnon. She is a murderer, a liar, and a cheater but yet somehow she is labeled by critics as the play's protagonist. She is also a strong woman, which is rather uncharacteristic of her time. The Watchmen calls this characteristic her "male strength of the heart." Although Clytemnestra is seen by the Chorus as untrustworthy, she encounters no interference from them in the murderers of Agamemnon and Cassandra.

Clytemnestra's strength is demonstrated in extroardinary her ability to manipulate the actions of others. She convinces the Chorus to make a sacrifice to the gods in order to ensure Agamemnon's safe return. In doing so, she wins their favor as they say "She speaks thus to teach you; to those who clearly can discern, her words are hypocrisy." She convinces Agamemnon to walk on the purple carpet in hopes that it will anger the gods by attacking his hubris by saying "Then let not blame of men make you ashamed."

The Chorus' distrust of Clytemnestra is shown when she urges the Herald to deliver her message "let him come with speed to the people that love him, come to find in his home the wife faithful, even such as he left her, a very house-dog, loyal to one and an enemy to his foes..." to Agamemnon. The Chorus knows she has been unfaithful and informs the Herald that "She speaks thus to teach you; to those who clearly can discern, her words are hypocrisy."