Aeschylus Essay

first of a three play series written by Aeschylus, has characters that are examples of both the Greek idea of good and cautionary tales. The reason the story is written with both is to make it relatable to the audience. Aristotle outlined a set of rules for Greek tragedy in his work, Poetics, and the main rule was that each story needed to be relatable to the audience, which Aeschylus accomplishes by the contrast in his characters. The characters in Aeschylus’ play Agamemnon are written as both an

In the Oresteia, revenge drives the characters to act. Although they call it justice, it is not. Aeschylus uses net imagery to symbolize faith and destiny. When Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon and Cassandra, the net imagery acts as a symbol of terrible fate. However, then fate reverse. Now, Orestes is caught in Apollo’s net and kills his own mother. Lastly, Athene changes the meaning of the net from one of chaos to that of order and justice. These uses of the net imagery help the reader focus on a

The modern word “drama” comes from the Greek word “dran” which carries the meaning “to do”. The earliest origins of dramas are the hymns, called dithyrambs. Every Greek city had a theatre that has impacted various religious festivals. At first, theatres were utilized for celebrations. The three genres of drama were drama, satyr plays, and most essential of all, tragedy. Comedies are diverting and have joyful endings. Tragedies are serious and tragic. In numerous tragedies, fate or some flaws prompt

were in the habit of "eating" and "sacrificing" their own children to appease the gods. But the imagery created by Aeschylus of these acts of sacrifice is also that of incestuous acts and their consequences. Aeschylus writes in Agamemnon, "Look! See them sit, there on the wall, like forms in dreams, / Children butchered like lambs by their own kindred." [1219-1220] The reason that Aeschylus portrays the children as sitting is because Agamemnon was sitting at the meal in which Atreus served up the flesh

unchanging like so many want to believe. For the Ancient Greeks in the 8th century, blood justice is the only way to settle disputes. By the mid-400s BCE, there are glimpses of what will later become a trial by jury in a democratic judicial system. Aeschylus’ plays show a distinct shift from blood justice to a more democratic system. Even Homer, when writing his epic works, seems to hint at a better way to resolve conflict than the “eye for an eye” mentality. The Iliad acts as book ends to the transformation

society for thousands of years. There have been numerous stories written about suppression of man and the ruling of the gods. The same goes for the suppression of the lower class and the ruling of the aristocracy and monarchy. In “Prometheus Bound”, Aeschylus, as well as Lord Byron, try to break the barriers between class distinctions. Prometheus shows the power of fire and how it can be used to make advancements in society. The play shares the conflict of Zeus wanting to maintain the social order and

the end he chose to have what was best for his people. Because of this decision, justice was viewed as an act of retaliation because the characters in Oresteia takes the role of providing punishments to another individual for their past wrongs. Aeschylus presents the first play, Agamemnon as Clytemnestra sets a plan to kill Agamemnon, the second play, The Libation Bearers as Orestes avenging against Clytemnestra for murdering his father, and the third play, The Furies as Orestes getting tormented

Our dramas, plays and theatres today are all originally inspired by the classic Greek theatres. The classic Greek theatres can be said as the pioneer in theatricals. As early as 700 B.C., ancient Greek theatre was originated. There are four qualities of ancient Greek theatre which are the occasions for its performance, competitive element, choral element and the basis of the theatre. The earliest theatres or dramas were staged during spring to honor the god Dionysus. This festival, “City Dionysia”

upon the Mannons, the history of their family, revealing to the audience details about the behavior and the character of the heroes. Moreover, the setting chosen by O’Neill is similar to the classical one used by the Greeks. It is known that in Aeschylus’ times a wooden wall was used as a background of the setting, the wall usually stood for a palace or a temple and this exactly the same as in O’Neill’s trilogy, as the greatest part of the action takes place in front of the Mannon’s residence which

In the 6th century BCE, a new form of recreation and entertainment was taking place. A new artform would revolutionize civilization in ancient Greece, and subsequently, the rest of the world. With this new artform came many inventions and developments that have surpassed centuries and influenced future creativity. With these developments came the theatre of ancient Greece. While some sources claim that Greek theatre began around the 6th century, other sources claim that the origins are vague and