Iphigenia has been apart of many mythological stories, showing the harshness of people. The myth of Iphigenia was said to be that she was sacrificed for the mistake of her father, Agamemnon. He was setting out to fight in the battle of Troy. The story of Iphigenia represents the sadness and sorrow felt for her and the identification of the struggle she experienced. Both The Sacrifice Of Iphigenia by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and “Iphigenia” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson use the myth of Iphigenia to indicate that inhumane, egocentric people will sacrifice others in order to defend themselves. After analyzing the poem “Iphigenia,” it can be acknowledged that Alfred Lord Tennyson takes in deep consideration of Iphigenia’s pain. This can be exhibited on line 1 of the poem as Iphigenia says “I was cut off from hope in that sad place” (Analysis). The tone of the poem could be utilized as woe and upsetting, establishing the fact Iphigenia is in distress and needs help. There is little hope, contemplating the idea nobody will appear to help (Analysis). The quote “The stern black-bearded kings, with wolfish eyes, waiting to see me die,” is used in terms of her sacrifice, exterminating the idea of hope for Iphigenia for the time being (Analysis). Alfred, Lord …show more content…
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo uses Iphigenia and her placement to demonstrate that everyone around appeared to witness her being sacrificed. The situation Iphigenia is in can be related back to the mood, creating sadness and pity for her (Analysis). She is said to be “better known as the daughter of Agamemnon, Iphigenia was sacrificed in order to appease Artemis” (“Iphigenia”). In the poem, Iphigenia appears to be managing the pain and sadness she is feeling due to the situation she was put
Everyone is going to die. This is no secret to the audience of the Greek play Agamemnon. Rather than surprising us with the murders that befall at the hands of vengeance, the Greek playwright uses this common story to display the underlying theme that one must first suffer before they can reach the truth. To understand the significance behind the story of Agamemnon, one must understand the passions and how they relate to the human person, Zeus’s law of suffering into truth, and Aeschylus’s motives for writing Agamemnon and how he reflects Catholic teaching.
Clytemnestra’s overwhelming hate for her husband deepens because Agamemnon shows no feelings of remorse and believes that Iphigenia’s sacrifice “[is] for the best” (216-224). Aeschylus recalls the final moments of Iphigenia’s sacrifice: “her pleading, her terrified cries of “Father”!/[…]/ Her eyes threw a last pitiful glace at her sacrificers,/ but like a figure in a painting,/she could not call to them for help” (228-242). Consequently, Iphigenia’s heartbreaking sacrifice motivates Clytemnestra’s “unforgiving child-avenging Rage” (155) upon her husband, Agamemnon. Clytemnestra’s maternal instinct implores her to take revenge against Agamemnon for his mistreatment of their daughter. Furthermore, Clytemnestra views Agamemnon’s sacrifice of Iphigenia as a betrayal of their marital love. Clytemnestra believes her husband deserves the same fate as Iphigenia because Agamemnon “[has] sacrificed [their] own child, [Clytemnestra’s] labour of love, to charm away the cruel storm-winds of Thrace” (1417-1417). To Clytemnestra, Agamemnon must “suffer, deed for deed,/ for what he [has] [done] to [their] daughter,/Iphigenia, his own flesh and blood!”
Throughout the Odyssey, Agamemnon is depicted as an example of what not to do whereas Achilles is the example of the perfect Greek hero. Even with such different representation, upon their death, both men learned what true glory was. For Agamemnon, he was killed in one of the most disgraceful ways possible. He was cut down like an animal by the lover of his scheming wife who even “lacked the heart to seal my (Agamemnon) eyes with her hand or close my jaw”(Od.11.482-3) Achilles on the other hand died a noble death avenging his friend upon returning to battle after being humiliated by Agamemnon. In Odysseus’s eyes “there’s no man in the world more blest than you(Achilles)”(Od.11.548). All their life they fought and strove to die a noble death for themselves when in reality the only glory they truly desired was that of their son’s and whether their own actions left the world any better. Both men, when given the chance, ask about their sons. Agamemnon requests information from Odysseus saying “Come, tell me this and be precise. Have you heard news of my son?”(Od.11.519-20) Unfortunately for Agamemnon, Odysseus had no news of his son and both shared in their sorrow. Achilles was more fortunate when he inquired “But come, tell me the news about my gallant son”(Od.11.559) Odysseus then launched into a great description of Neoptolemus bravery and gallant actions while fighting at Troy. With the description of the scores of men his son killed and the fighting ranks he leveled, the great Achilles ran off with joy in his heart “triumphant in all I(Odysseus) had told him of his son, his gallant, glorious son”(Od.11.616-7). What a change from the man that Odysseus originally met in the underworld. Achilles found no happiness or joy in all his accomplishments that he gave his life for. True joy and glory was found in his son; his lasting glory was more
Prior to this negotiation, Hector slayed Patroklos in battle, and to revenge his friend’s death Achilles slew Hector and tortured his corpse by dragging his body behind his chariot. First of all, Achilles’ ferocious treatment of the corpse of Hector can be considered an offense to the standard of humanity, as ancient literary sources emphasize the necessity of a proper burial and refer to the omission of burial rites as an insult to human dignity. The significance of burial is also suggested in Achilles’ allusion of Niobe, as he mentions “there was no-one to bury [the children of Niobe] ... but on the tenth day the heavenly gods buried them.” In fact, Aphrodite and Apollo were preserving the body of Hector from corruption and mutilation. However, in the heroic age, the hero’s decision in not contributing to the sacred ritual – in Achilles’ case, a retributive vengeance – can be rationalized by his own moral laws. It is crucial to recognize the fact that prior to this event, Achilles has undergone no real change of heart, nor has he learned moral lesson from his experiences. Throughout the poem, Homer charts Achilles’ inability to think beyond himself – Achilles did not concern for Helen, rather, it is apparent that he fought for the prestige and the personal glory. This passage demonstrates Achilles’ mortal development by performing a moral rehabilitation. Fatherhood becomes the critical element that forges a momentary bond between Priam and Achilles. By agreeing to return the body of Hector to Priam, Achilles gains the ability in understanding another man’s sorrow and the common bonds of humanity, moreover he learns to possess compassion for others. Likewise, Achilles emphasizes the natural continuation of life by narrating Niobe’s story: the fact that no matter how long one can lament for (for example, Niobe weeping for the death of her children), there will always be a period
In numerous Greek myths, internecine strife is a central theme. An underlying trend of strife is interfamilial strife. In both Aeschulys’ Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers, the central storyline is strife within a family, that is, a husband and wife and a son and mother respectively. Additionally, in Hesiod’s Theogony, as the origins of the gods are being revealed, as is the strife between fathers and sons.
Each beloved character in The Iliad has his or her own personal experiences and tragedies. Agamemnon, Achilles’ boss and leader, has fought in many battles, and after winning one battle, Agamemnon gets a girl Chryseis as his war prize. However, Chryseis’ dad, Chryses, was a priest of Apollo, and Chryses prayed to Apollo so that Apollo could shoot his “arrows on the Danaans for my [Chryses] tears!” (L 50). Apollo then grants his prayers and rains down arrows upon the Greek soldiers and their animals.
The act of sacrifice is a very important event in literature. Often, it can define and shape a character’s life and personality. The ancient texts discussed in class contain many diverse, yet equally meaningful examples of sacrifice. Even though these acts of sacrifice can occur for different reasons, each one has a similar purpose. The characters that perform such sacrifices are required to give up something they love, cherish or own in order to serve a greater purpose. Achilles from The Iliad must sacrifice his physical possessions to appease his gods. Gilgamesh is unwillingly forced to sacrifice his beloved brother. Cain from The Bible also forfeits material possessions, but he also
A. A. The "Alfred". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alfred-king-of-Wessex. Accessed 26 February 2024.
The Iliad: Book I, is about the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon in the beginning of the Trojan War. It shows how vigorous Achilles’ rage was and that he is no one to mess with. The book states “Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed”. This shows his fury in just a few words. Achilles was a Greek hero who was the son of a Goddess named Thetis. He was an incredible solder; brave, violent and godlike. However, Agamemnon was the commander of the Achaean Army. He was greedy, aggressive and selfish. He was described as “the most grasping man alive”. He absolutely hated Achilles. I feel that he was jealous of how respected Achilles was among the ranks in the army because of his superior skills in the field of battle. Agamemnon claimed Chryseis as his prize, after sacking a Trojan town. Chryseis was a daughter of a Priest of Apollo, Chryses. He offered an enormous ransom to get his daughter back. At first Agamemnon didn’t want it but the people round him persuaded him that it would be best to let her go so they could be released from the plague that Apollo put on them. Agamemnon then poised to Achilles that he is going to steal Achilles prize, Briseis. This is when Achilles’ rage shows at its best. He nearly draws his sword to kill Agamemnon but he is stopped by the goddess, Athena.
Euripides’ Iphigenia Among the Taurians is a play that tells the story of Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon of the house of Tantalus. Her father convinces her that she is to be married to Achilles, king of the Myrmidons and slayer of Hector; however, Agamemnon planned to sacrifice her to the goddess Artemis instead. Iphigenia is saved by Artemis, who replaces her body with a deer, and whisked away to the island of the Taurians. Here she becomes a priestess of the cult of Artemis that sacrifices any foreigners who arrive on the island’s shore. Orestes and Pylades—Iphigenia’s brother and cousin-by-marriage respectively—also arrive on the island much later.
The incident showcases how violence appears frequently in ancient Greek families. Moreover, Greek Tragedy also demonstrated the importance of fate that prophet and oracles play a large role in the story. In the story Agamemnon, Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy, insanely tells the fate of Agamemnon and his family; despite the oracle sounds unbelievable, it came to reality at the end of the story, which showcases the irresistible fate of Agamemnon cannot be stopped. More importantly, Cassandra was also murdered by Clytaemestra, which stands as another act of violence. The stories in Greek Tragedy demonstrate a pattern that a violent action would lead to another violent action. Besides, ancient Greeks in this period also view fate as their belief. However, heroism is viewed less important since ancient Greek culture in Greek Tragedy focuses more on concerns of the
Aristotle also writes that “tragedy must seek… cases where the suffering occurs within relationships, such as brother and brother… when one kills (or is about to kill) the other, or commits some other such deed.” While the reversal and the recognition components cause the audience fear and anxiety, suffering bring out the emotion of pity in the hearts of the viewers who are sympathizing with the character. There are several incidences of suffering in the plot. The most prevalent one, again, is Iphigenia about to kill Orestes. Even the chorus laments this tragic deed and they cry out “I cry for you, for your end marked out, the bloody rain of lustral water.”
Greek mythology is an ancient collection of myths and tales that incorporate gods, goddesses, and mythological creatures and heroes. Embedded within these fictitious narratives are morals which teach a lesson. These teachings are considered applicable in life and can be used on a daily basis. For example, the story of Iphigenia is discerned as a heroic tale in which the selflessness of a young girl is put to the test in order to pardon her father’s wrongful actions. Iphigenia’s father, Agamemnon, had angered the goddess Artemis and in order to placate her, he would have to sacrifice his own daughter. Without Iphigenia’s willing sacrifice, Artemis would make Agamemnon’s troops unable to set sail to fight Troy and defend their honor. In the painting, The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo uses the tragic sacrifice of Iphigenia to portray that selflessness is
Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis provides important context regarding the sacrifice of Iphigenia and Clytemnestra’s past with Agamemnon. Clytemnestra is ashamed after talking to Achilles about the wedding between him and Iphigenia that he is unaware of. After discovering Agamemnon 's true intentions, she decides that she will no longer “let shame prevent” her from seeking Achilles’ help to stop Agamemnon because “whose interests should [she] consult before [her] child’s?” (Iphigenia at Aulis 24). Her concern for Iphigenia overpowers the indignity she feels because her child’s well being is greater than her own. Both women’s anger and desire for vengeance grow as their children are endangered or harmed as “vengeance makes grief bearable” (Medea 2.55). The playwrights show each as either a good or bad woman based on if their vengeful actions are ultimately in favor of their children or not.
The Iliad, by Homer, is an epic poem set in the era of the Trojan War, accounting the battle logs during the time of conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles, the text’s tragic protagonist. The heroic outlook on life, in Iliadic terms, is exemplified through the construction of one’s honor through hard work. Being an aspect of the heroic outlook of life, this value is demonstrated through his contribution and dedication to the Trojan War, his experience with neglect from the deities, Achilles’ overall disdain towards Agamemnon, and, lastly, his longingness towards Briseis, his dear lover.