Four Views on Women in Greek T
In the characters of Clytemnestra, Jocasta, Antigone and Medea, the ancient Greek playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides offer four distinctly different views of the roles which women played in Greek society. While women definitely played a role which was subservient to the one played by men, it is obvious from these characters that women were seen by the ancient Greeks as capable of being strong, intelligent, resourceful, loyal, and heroic. These characters also show the modern reader that women represented something powerful to this society which was to be feared and, hopefully, kept under control. Clytemnestra and Medea personify all of the negative qualities attributed to women by the ancient Greeks. Medea, despite her despicable crime, is actually presented in a more favorable light then Clytemnestra; however, both women are presented as victims of their pride which seems to be the worst sin as far as the Greeks were concerned. Jocasta and Antigone represent the positive virtues of loyalty and devotion to the gods. Jocasta is the weaker of the two, and, frankly, Antigone is almost too good to be true in her example of heroic virtue and devotion to
It seems to me that Jocasta has lived with the fear of the prophesy for many years and has tried to push it aside along with the implications for her family. Unlike Jocasta who embraced death rather then face a painful reality, death doesnit offer Antigone any form of release. In Clytemnestra, Aeschylus created a character who is an opponent worthy of Agamemnon. This is demonstrated in the scene where she arbitrates a argument between Oedipus an Creon. While this would present a more or less noble reason for revenge, the issue of Clytemnestrais true motivations are clouded by several facts. It is clear, however, that Jocasta is not a strong character as are the other women. Agamemnon was faced with the decision of abandoning his war against Troy or killing his own daughter. After all, they have four children and the truth of their relationship has powerful implications for them all. Her reluctance to die at once makes her seem more human, less perfect, and more heroic in that her resolve never falters. Indeed, whenever the women have been treated poorly, retribution comes against those who have misused them. Her speeches with the chorus show her to be educated and articulate. Now, in this play, they see her sacrificing her own life in order to give her brother a decent and honorable burial. The audience never gets the sense that Clytemnestra cares anything for Agamemnon. She is almost too good to be true in her positive qualities and intense family devotion which is why her farewell speech toward the end of the play is so important. She is also angry that Agamemnon has taken a lover, Cassandra, who has the gift of prophecy.
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Acceptance Essays
