Greek Mythology : Family of Agamemnon

Personally my favourite myth is the story of the family of Agamemnon and the revenge cycle of Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Sophocles’ Electra and Euripides’ Electra, Orestes, Iphigenia at Aulis and Iphigenia at Tauris.

For those who don’t know, the story begins among preparations for the Trojan War. At the harbour of Aulis, the winds were not blowing so the fleet could not sail. Agamemnon had to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to Artemis in order to sail for Troy. He did. When he returned, he was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. Seven years after that, they in turn were killed in revenge for Agamemnon’s murder by his and Clytemnestra’s son Orestes. Clytemnestra’s ghost sent the Furies after her son sending him mad with guilt. He fled to Athens, where we was pardoned by Athena.

It is a great story of revenge, innocence and guilt and regret. However, my favourite aspect of it is the moral question that it asks and does not truly answer. That is: is anyone in the right? Is revenge-killing ever justifiable, and in what cases? Which characters deserve to die, and if so, why? I love how it shows the true complexity of morality.

Sorry for any inconsistencies and mistakes that might exist in the story. I haven't read or studied mythology, I just know a couple of myths. If you spot mistakes in my blog, feel free to offer corrections.